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Christie´s

$50 - $83/hr

Head of Sale, American Furniture & Decorative Arts (Temporary) The Company Christie's, the world's largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career.

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How much do decorative artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for decorative artist in the United States is $29.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a decorative artist?

A decorative artist is a professional who specializes in enhancing the appearance of surfaces, objects, or spaces through artistic techniques such as painting, gilding, stenciling, or faux finishes. They work on a variety of projects, including murals, furniture, walls, ceilings, and architectural details, often collaborating with interior designers or architects. Decorative artists use creativity, technical skill, and knowledge of materials to transform ordinary surfaces into visually striking works of art that complement the design and atmosphere of a space.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a decorative artist?

To thrive as a Decorative Artist, you need strong artistic ability, a keen eye for color and detail, and often a background in fine arts or design. Familiarity with various painting techniques, surface preparation tools, and materials such as gold leaf or stencils is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and excellent client communication help Decorative Artists stand out when translating vision into unique visual experiences. These skills ensure the effective execution of custom designs that meet client expectations and enhance spaces aesthetically.

What are some common challenges decorative artists face when working on large-scale projects?

Decorative Artists often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple trades, maintaining design consistency across large surfaces, and adapting to unexpected changes in project scope or client preferences. Effective communication with interior designers, contractors, and clients is crucial to ensure the final result aligns with the original vision. Additionally, managing tight deadlines and working in varied environments—such as construction sites or occupied spaces—requires strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

What is the difference between Decorative Artist vs Muralist?

AspectDecorative ArtistMuralist
CredentialsTypically requires artistic training, certifications in decorative techniquesSimilar credentials, often with specialized mural painting experience
Work EnvironmentInterior spaces, residential and commercial settingsLarge-scale outdoor or indoor wall surfaces
Industry UsageInterior design, home decor, set designPublic art, commercial murals, community projects

Decorative artists focus on enhancing interior spaces with decorative finishes, while muralists create large-scale artworks on walls. Both roles require artistic skills and similar credentials, but differ mainly in scale and setting. Decorative artists often work on detailed interior projects, whereas muralists handle expansive wall murals, often in public or outdoor spaces.

How do you become a decorative artist?

To become a decorative artist, you typically need to develop skills through formal training such as art or design courses, apprenticeships, or self-study. Gaining experience with painting techniques, surface preparation, and tools like brushes and stencils is important, and building a portfolio can help showcase your work to potential clients or employers.

What are the types of decorative artist work?

Decorative artists perform a variety of work including mural painting, faux finishing, stenciling, gilding, and decorative surface treatments. They often work in interior design, set design, or restoration projects, using tools like brushes, sponges, and specialty paints to enhance aesthetic appeal. These roles may require knowledge of color theory, surface preparation, and sometimes certifications in decorative painting techniques.
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Decorative Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Decorative Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 44% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,546 per year, or $29.1 per hour.

Experienced Decorative Paint & Plaster Artist

Fresco Decorative Arts

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About Us


We are an NYC-based decorative arts company specializing in custom handmade surfaces, decorative finishes, and wallpapers for high-end residential and commercial interiors.

We are seeking an experienced Decorative Paint & Plaster Artist to join our New York team, working both in our studio and on client job sites in New York City and throughout the U.S.

This role is ideal for someone with hands-on experience in decorative painting, plaster, specialty finishes, scenic painting, fine finishing, or related craftsmanship who is comfortable working independently and as part of a team in a professional jobsite environment.

Travel is an important part of this position. Candidates must be comfortable traveling for projects, including overnight and extended stays outside of New York.

Qualifications


  • Strong craftsmanship and exceptional attention to detail
  • Ability to execute high-quality finishes consistently and match approved samples
  • Comfortable working independently and as part of an artist team
  • Professional and reliable when working in clients' homes and on active construction sites
  • Ability to follow direction, recipes, samples, and established application methods
  • Strong time management and ability to work within project timelines
  • Comfortable adapting to changing jobsite conditions and project needs
  • Ability to perform physical work, including standing, bending, climbing ladders/scaffolding, and lifting up to 60 lbs.
  • Ability and willingness to travel for out-of-state projects
  • Flexible availability, including occasional overtime and weekend work when required by a project
  • Valid driver's license preferred


Experience


  • Professional experience in decorative painting, plastering, specialty finishes, scenic painting, fine finishing, or a closely related field required
  • Hands-on experience with techniques such as plaster application, glazing, decorative painting, gilding, specialty coatings, or surface treatments strongly preferred
  • Experience mixing and applying materials and working across a variety of substrates and surfaces
  • Experience matching finishes to samples, specifications, or existing surfaces
  • Familiarity with professional painting, plastering, and finishing tools and materials
  • Experience working on residential, commercial, construction, or installation job sites preferred
  • Familiarity with architectural drawings and finish schedules a plus
  • OSHA or other jobsite safety certifications a plus


This is not an entry-level training position. We are looking for artists and craftspeople who already have a strong foundation in painting, plaster, decorative finishing, or related specialty work and can contribute confidently on professional job sites.


In Your Cover Letter, Please Tell Us


  • About your professional experience with decorative painting, plaster, specialty finishes, scenic work, or related craftsmanship
  • Which materials, techniques, and finishes you have the most experience working with
  • Your experience working on client or construction job sites
  • Your availability and comfort level with traveling for projects
  • Please include a portfolio, website, or examples of relevant work if available


Compensation & Benefits


  • Competitive hourly pay, commensurate with experience
  • Overtime available after 40 hours worked
  • Travel opportunities for projects throughout the U.S.
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Accrued paid time off
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Life, AD&D, critical illness, and accident insurance
Schedule


  • Full-time, in-person
  • Monday through Friday
  • Regular travel to project sites, including out-of-state and overnight travel
  • Occasional evening, overtime, and weekend work based on project needs
Location


New York City, NY

Studio and jobsite-based position with travel to client projects.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Commensurate with experience

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