Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $84,950 a year, or about $40.84 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $203K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $73,480 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 67.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $85K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K.Top earners bring in $203K or more - a $151K 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 |
| Arizona | $63K | +5% | 80 |
| Oregon | $63K | +5% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $63K | +4% | 50 |
| Georgia | $62K | +2% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $59K | -2% | 140 |
| Virginia | $59K | -3% | N/A |
Track fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $84,950 a year - that works out to about $40.84 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,450, and experienced fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators can clear $202,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,343/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 67.5% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $73,480 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.