Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in Virginia
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Virginia earn a median of $47,930 a year ($23.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,400 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $55,490. Virginia ranks 21st of 30 states for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators pay. There are 0.06 fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $53,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| 25th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Median | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| 75th percentile | $70,300 | $33.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,400 | $42.02 |
| Average (mean) | $53,700 | $25.82 |
Half of fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,994.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.46 |
| Weekly | $921.73 |
| Hourly | $23.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $62,000 | 50 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $56,560 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $35,000 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $98,540 |
| Nevada | $81,630 |
| New York | $78,870 |
| Washington | $72,430 |
| Connecticut | $71,210 |
| Maryland | $66,180 |
| Georgia | $65,010 |
| New Mexico | $63,090 |
| Minnesota | $61,730 |
| California | $58,240 |
See Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Interior Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Floral Designer | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Art Director | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,510 | $39.19 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Fashion Designer | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators make in Virginia?
The median salary for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in Virginia is $47,930 a year, or $23.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in Virginia earn at least $87,400 a year. The top 25% earn $70,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,640 a year, and a quarter of fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators earn $35,000 or less.
How many fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators work in Virginia?
About 230 fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.