There are career options for illustrators in several different fields, including advertising and software development.




Jobs in illustration (plus nine other career ideas)

  • Animator. …
  • Graphic designer. …
  • Illustrator. …
  • Fashion designer. …
  • Painter. …
  • Architectural designer. …
  • Tattoo artist. …
  • Concept artist.

How much do illustration artists make? Average Illustrator Salary & Benefits

Illustrators earned an average annual salary of $63,030 in May 2019, according to the BLS. Their salaries are highly contingent upon the size of their employers, experience and where they reside.

Also, Are illustrators in demand? The demand for illustrators was forecast to be greater for those with knowledge of digital illustration software. Median wages for all fine artists in May 2019 were $48,760, according to the BLS. Illustrators are typically self-employed.

What are the highest paying jobs in art?


9 Highest Paying Art Careers

  • #1 Art Director. Median Salary: $94,220. …
  • #2 Producer & Director. Median Salary: $74,420. …
  • #3 Landscape Architect. Median Salary: $69,360. …
  • #4 Video Editor. Median Salary: $63,780. …
  • #5 Graphic Designer. Median Salary: $52,110. …
  • #6 Drafter. Median Salary: $56,830. …
  • #7 Art Curator. …
  • #8 Interior Designer.

17 Related Questions and Answers

Do illustrators need a degree?

Most illustrators have at least an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, though it is possible to qualify for some entry level positions with only a high school diploma and exceptional drawing skills. … These courses help students improve their technical skills and help them think visually.

What illustrations sell best?

Illustrations ideas that look to the future.




Creative Illustration Ideas

  1. World Travel. …
  2. Annual Holidays. …
  3. Current Events. …
  4. Local Culture. …
  5. Scenes from Daily Life. …
  6. Botanicals. …
  7. Florals. …
  8. Landscapes.

Do you need a degree to be an illustrator?

Most illustrators have at least an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, though it is possible to qualify for some entry level positions with only a high school diploma and exceptional drawing skills.

Is it better to be an illustrator or graphic designer?

The illustrator doesn’t have the advanced knowledge of a graphic designer. If you like to draw and illustrate concepts, illustration would be a good fit. If you prefer to code, make websites, and do detail-type work, then graphic design might suit you better.

Is illustrator a good career?

Although a career as an illustrator can be incredibly rewarding, it can often feel a bit like chasing your own tail. … Unlike a career in design, there is less repeat work for illustrators because it is often more niche. Being a freelance creative is a somewhat temperamental career, all be it a fulfilling one.

Which illustrations are in demand?


Let us begin!

  • Children’s Book Illustrator. Okay, this is a popular one that everyone already knows about… …
  • Medical Illustrator. …
  • Courtroom Sketch Artist. …
  • Caricature Artist. …
  • Character Designer. …
  • Graphic Designer. …
  • Graphic Recorder / Scribe. …
  • Fashion Illustrator.

Who makes 100000 a year?

Jobs that pay $100K or more typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher. For example, according to the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program, physicians, surgeons, chief executives, lawyers, pharmacists, and dentists in the U.S. all earn more than $100,000 per year, on average.

What artist makes the most money?

In 2017, art directors (the highest level of commercial artist) earned an average of $92,500 annually. A more typical annual wage for a commercial artists in 2017 was $48,700.

How do you become an illustrator?

Learn how to become an illustrator and what the job entails. Find out exactly what an illustrator is and where to find jobs.




4 Steps to Becoming an Illustrator

  1. Step 1: Learn the Basics. …
  2. Step 2: Draw What You Want. …
  3. Step 3: Don’t Compare, But Do Network With Other Illustrators. …
  4. Step 4: Document Your Growth.

How many years of college do you need to be an illustrator?

Individuals may take 4 to 6 years of education and training to become an illustrator. The requirements needed are the same as the requirement for craft and fine artists.

Is it hard to be an illustrator?

While it might be a few years until you finally land one of those jobs, it’s not actually too difficult to find low-paying gigs that don’t require a ton of experience. The problem with this is that it’s really easy to get sucked into this type of work.

How do I get paid for illustrations?


Here are some of the best freelance sites and job boards you can use to find illustration and design jobs.

  1. Behance Jobs.
  2. Smashing Jobs.
  3. Dribbble Jobs.
  4. 99Designs.
  5. Indeed.
  6. Guardian Jobs (not remote)
  7. Simply Hired.
  8. Hire an Illustrator.

How do I get my first illustration job?


How to Kick Start Your Career as an Illustrator

  1. Think about what kind of work you’d like to do. Most people I know start off in editorial illustration. …
  2. Get drawing. …
  3. Create a portfolio website. …
  4. Set your business up. …
  5. Share your work on social media. …
  6. Start hustling. …
  7. Make friends with other illustrators. …
  8. Get organised.

How much money can you make as a freelance illustrator?

Freelance illustrator pay

ZipRecruiter estimates a conservative average salary of $59,837 per year (or about $29 per hour) for freelancers. Indeed reports their estimate quite a bit higher, at an average of $45.61 per hour. Factors like geography and education have less of an impact on freelance careers.

Is graphic design better than illustration?

While graphic design puts more emphasis on communication, and illustration leans more into fine art, graphic illustration is what happens when we marry both together. It’s the best of both worlds.

Is illustration an art or design?

Illustration is viewed mostly as a fine art. Graphic design is more about communicating with a target audience, while illustration is concerned mostly about a creative interpretation. Milton Glaser says, ‘To design is to communicate clearly by whatever means you can control or master. ‘

Does illustration fall under design?

Graphic design is the art and profession of using visual compositions to solve problems and communicate ideas through typography, imagery, color and form. While illustration focuses on creative interpretation, graphic design is all about communication with its target audience.

Can graphic designers be illustrators?

It’s possible for one person to be both a graphic designer and an illustrator. This usually happens when a person has a strong artistic background. … Usually, these types of creative people find that they can make more money with graphic design than with illustration.

How do I get hired as an illustrator?


How to Kick Start Your Career as an Illustrator

  1. Think about what kind of work you’d like to do. Most people I know start off in editorial illustration. …
  2. Get drawing. …
  3. Create a portfolio website. …
  4. Set your business up. …
  5. Share your work on social media. …
  6. Start hustling. …
  7. Make friends with other illustrators. …
  8. Get organised.

How can illustrators make money?


10 Easy Ways Freelance Illustrators Can Make Money Online

  • How Much Do Illustrators Make? How much can you really make as an illustrator? …
  • #1 Find Online Gigs. …
  • #2 Do Art Commissions. …
  • #3 Sell Your Vector Designs. …
  • #4 Sell Posters & Prints. …
  • #5 Sell T-Shirts. …
  • #6 Use Twitter, DeviantArt, & Instagram. …
  • #7 Participate In Competitions.

Where can I find illustration jobs?


Here are some of the best freelance illustration jobs sites for finding clients quickly:

  1. Hire An Illustrator. Perhaps one of the greatest communities to help you find freelance illustration jobs is Hire An Illustrator. …
  2. FlexJobs. …
  3. Behance Jobs. …
  4. Dribbble Pro Job Board. …
  5. Upwork. …
  6. Linkedin Jobs. …
  7. Fiverr.

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