14 of the Best Types of Artist Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Artist jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Artist Jobs

• Artist Manager

  Salary range: $92,500 - $400,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Full Time Artist

  Salary range: $127,000 - $152,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Senior Artist

  Salary range: $127,000 - $152,000

  Senior Artist is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Senior Artist jobs pay between $127,000 (25th percentile) and $152,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Artist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Artist Director

  Salary range: $127,000 - $152,000

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• From Home Artist

  Salary range: $127,000 - $152,000

  From Home Artist is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for From Home Artist jobs pay between $127,000 (25th percentile) and $152,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for From Home Artist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Independent Contractor Artist

  Salary range: $30,500 - $88,500

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• Co Op Artist

  Salary range: $43,500 - $80,000

  The qualifications you need for a Co-Op job depend on the application requirements at your school and the organization where you want to work. You must be an officially enrolled student at your college or university, and GPA and credit hour requirements are typical. Some companies prefer Co-Op students whose major aligns with the industry. You must have strong communication skills and a willingness to learn and practice a variety of new tasks and job duties. Your responsibilities are to apply your learning to your Co-Op work experience and be a punctual and motivated employee.

• Virtual Artist

  Salary range: $45,000 - $77,000

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Artist Coordinator

  Salary range: $40,500 - $69,500

  Coordinators plan and schedule events, programs, or projects. In this position, you can work in a variety of industries, so your duties and the necessary qualifications vary by field. There are project coordinators who work in the construction, manufacturing, and development industries, program coordinators, who typically work in education, community outreach, or non-profit organizations, and numerous other positions that require significant coordination experience. For those who work in labor industries, coordination might include developing timetables and budgets for the ordering and delivery of materials or services, while at a school, an instructional coordinator might prepare an afterschool program curriculum.

• Entry Level Artist

  Salary range: $36,500 - $58,000

  The qualifications needed to get a job as an entry-level artist include artistic skills, a portfolio of past work, and a degree or equivalent experience. You can pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design, illustration, or fine arts. Most degree programs include portfolio-building courses, which can help you showcase your creative abilities to potential employers or clients. Most employers expect you to digitize your artwork using the Adobe Creative Suite or similar software. Internships are available for students and novice artists who want to gain experience in a professional setting.

• Junior Artist

  Salary range: $36,000 - $57,500

  Junior Artist is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Junior Artist jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $57,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Junior Artist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Apprentice Artist

  Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000

  Apprentice Artist is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Apprentice Artist jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Artist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Artist

  Salary range: $39,000 - $39,000

  There are many different kinds of freelance artists. They each develop their own unique style and perspective to their works and are hired as independent contractors. Painters may use oils, acrylic, watercolors, or other materials to portray realistic or abstract items or scenes. They may paint on canvas or on any surface that can absorb paint, such as a wall or even a vehicle. Illustrators bring words to life in their images. They may provide pictures for books or create images for marketing campaigns or other business communication. Other types of freelance arts include photographers, calligraphers, graphic designers, and printmakers.

• Internship Artist

  Salary range: $24,000 - $30,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.