Independent artists, writers, and performers
NAICS Code: 711500
Industry Insight
The Independent artists, writers, and performers industry is classified under NAICS code 711500 and employed approximately 62,200 workers in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program. By 2034, BLS projects employment will reach 61,200 — a net change of -1,000 jobs over the decade. That works out to a -1.5% projected growth rate, a contraction reflecting structural change, automation, or shifting consumer demand.
NAICS 711500 sits within a broader sector ecosystem whose health depends on demographic trends, technology adoption curves, and policy decisions on immigration, tax incentives, and labor regulation. The occupation mix inside Independent artists, writers, and performers determines how AI displacement risk filters down to individual workers — industries dominated by clerical and routine analytical roles face the steepest exposure, while those anchored in physical skill, patient care, or creative judgment retain stronger resilience. The projected decline here signals workers should proactively assess transferable skills and adjacent occupations with stronger outlooks.
Use this industry profile alongside our occupation rankings and employer AI risk grades to build a full picture. The BLS publishes detailed wage and employment figures for each sector in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections programs. The BLS Employment Projections methodology blends input-output modeling, productivity forecasts, and occupational staffing patterns, so estimates are directional rather than precise, and industry-level outcomes depend heavily on macroeconomic conditions that evolve between projection cycles.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Independent artists, writers, and performers (NAICS 711500) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing | 62,500 | +1.8% |
| Independent artists, writers, and performers | 62,200 | -1.5% |
| Water, sewage and other systems | 62,100 | -0.1% |
| Household appliance manufacturing | 60,100 | -7.5% |
| Nonscheduled air transportation | 59,900 | +5.9% |
| Steel product manufacturing from purchased steel | 59,800 | +1.9% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Independent artists, writers, and performers?
As of 2024, the Independent artists, writers, and performers industry employs approximately 62,200 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Independent artists, writers, and performers growing or declining?
The Independent artists, writers, and performers industry is projected to decline by 1.5% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of -1,000 jobs over the decade.
What jobs are in the Independent artists, writers, and performers industry?
The Independent artists, writers, and performers industry (NAICS 711500) employs workers across a range of occupations. Browse the full occupations directory to see AI exposure scores, wage data, and growth projections for specific roles common in this industry.
How will AI affect the Independent artists, writers, and performers industry?
AI impact on the Independent artists, writers, and performers industry depends on the specific occupation mix. Industries with more routine data processing and clerical roles tend to have higher AI displacement risk, while those requiring physical labor, complex judgment, or creative work face lower risk. View occupation-level AI exposure scores for detailed analysis.
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Employment figures in thousands. Data reflects projected changes over the 2024–2034 decade