Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary
in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
- Middle 50%
- $42,710–$166,380
- vs U.S. median
- +128%
- Metro rank
- #1 of 7
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro earn a median of $126,470 a year, based on BLS estimates for 450 jobs (May 2025). That is 128% above the U.S. median of $55,490 and 117% above the CA statewide median of $58,240. It ranks #1 of 7 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE450 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
Were you outpaid?
Your salary is ranked in your browser and never uploaded.
Turn your result into a raise plan.
Run the free check first for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators. If you want to act on it, the Dossier turns your result into a target number (the 75th percentile for your job and metro), the employers that report paying more (where filing data exists), a raise or counter-offer script filled in with your numbers, and a one-page summary for your manager.
- ✓ Built from BLS and DOL data
- ✓ PDF generated in your browser
- ✓ 7-day money-back guarantee
Your salary stays in your browser.
RELATED JOBS IN SAN FRANCISCO
- Graphic Designersmedian $92,050 · 3,870 jobs
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmersmedian $55,960 · 1,290 jobs
- Interior Designersmedian $87,460 · 1,810 jobs
- Art Directorsmedian $165,210 · 2,390 jobs
- Commercial and Industrial Designersmedian $104,000 · 1,250 jobs
- Special Effects Artists and Animatorsmedian $136,770 · 1,440 jobs
Questions
What is the average Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in San Francisco?
The BLS median is $126,470 a year (May 2025). Half of the 450 jobs pay between $42,710 and $166,380. The 10th percentile is $41,250 and the 90th is $168,560.
Is San Francisco a high-paying metro for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators?
That is 128% above the U.S. median of $55,490 and 117% above the CA statewide median of $58,240. It ranks #1 of 7 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators make an hour in San Francisco?
About $60.80 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $126,470 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $20.53–$79.99 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.