Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH make a median of $43,860 a year, or about $21.09 an hour. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $156K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $68K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $40,510 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 98.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $44K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K. Top earners bring in $156K or more, a $124K spread from bottom to top.
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $140K | +131% | 1,760 |
| Massachusetts | $84K | +38% | 30 |
| Indiana | $79K | +31% | 40 |
| New York | $79K | +30% | 960 |
| Washington | $78K | +29% | 840 |
| South Carolina | $73K | +21% | 190 |
| Connecticut | $73K | +20% | 140 |
| Maryland | $73K | +20% | 30 |
| Minnesota | $64K | +5% | 70 |
| Oregon | $63K | +5% | N/A |
| Arizona | $63K | +5% | 80 |
| New Jersey | $63K | +4% | 50 |
| Georgia | $62K | +2% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $59K | -2% | 140 |
| Virginia | $59K | -3% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $58K | -5% | 190 |
| Illinois | $54K | -11% | N/A |
| Nevada | $53K | -12% | 90 |
| Alabama | $52K | -14% | 40 |
| Missouri | $52K | -14% | 180 |
| Florida | $48K | -20% | 820 |
| Tennessee | $48K | -21% | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $45K | -25% | 60 |
| North Carolina | $45K | -26% | 260 |
| Maine | $45K | -26% | N/A |
| Idaho | $44K | -28% | 40 |
| Utah | $44K | -28% | 140 |
| New Mexico | $43K | -29% | 110 |
| Nebraska | $43K | -29% | N/A |
| Iowa | $39K | -36% | N/A |
| Kentucky | $39K | -36% | 90 |
| Michigan | $35K | -42% | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $35K | -43% | 110 |
| Texas | $35K | -43% | 1,140 |
| Louisiana | $32K | -47% | 190 |
| Ohio | $31K | -48% | 680 |
| Kansas | $25K | -59% | 50 |
Showing 1–10 of 37 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $43,860 a year, that works out to about $21 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,190, and experienced fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators can clear $156,260. The mean (average) is $68,100, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,924/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 100.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators salary is worth about $40,510 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.