Art and Design Workers

How to become a Craft Artist

Official title: Craft Artists

Also called: Artist, Ceramic Artist, Decorative Arts Production Artist, Fiber Artist, Fine Craft Artist, Glass Artist, Goldsmith, Hand-Weaver, Tapestry Artist, Textile Artist

Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.

Main tasks

Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, size, malleability and other characteristics.
Create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.
Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
Cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.
Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.
Advertise products and work, using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
Sketch or draw objects to be crafted.

How to become one

Craft and fine artists improve their skills through practice and repetition. A bachelor's degree is common for these artists.

Typical education to start: No formal educational credential

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Taxidermist (Profess & Kin).
College: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $46,080 a year The middle half earn $35,020 to $58,240.
About 11,500 people work in this job now, and about 11,800 are projected by 2035. (+2%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Craft Artist?

Craft and fine artists improve their skills through practice and repetition. A bachelor's degree is common for these artists.

How much does a Craft Artist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $46,080 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $35,020 to $58,240.

Is a Craft Artist a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 11,500 people now and 11,800 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Craft Artist?

Not always. 58% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Arts & Humanities degrees; Taxidermist (Profess & Kin).

Will AI change the work of a Craft Artist?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.