Independent artists, writers, and performers
NAICS Code: 711500
BLS projects Independent artists, writers, and performers to contract -1.5% through 2034 - 3.9 points slower than the 2.4% average across 291 U.S. industries, faster-growing than 25% of them. Its trajectory is close to the typical U.S. industry.
Where Independent artists, writers, and performers sits among all industries
Projected 2024-2034 growth across 291 U.S. industries (BLS). This industry is marked in rose.
Where Independent artists, writers, and performers sits by projected growth
Projected employment change across tracked industries
-1.5% Top 75% higher than 25% of 291 industries
Industries, banded by projected growth
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more industries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source BLS Employment Projections · 2026-05-15
Contraction read
Signature: 42.4% mean employer AI exposure across 23 tracked public companies .
Both the BLS outlook and our public-company overlay are thin or negative here - prioritize transferable occupation data over employer branding.
NAICS 711500 · 62,200 workers (2024, ×1k) · source BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Employer AI grades are occupation-weighted scores from our SEC cohort, not automation predictions for every establishment in Independent artists, writers, and performers.
Public companies in this NAICS sector
NAICS sector 71 bucket (includes sibling industries). 23 companies scored · mean AI exposure 42.4%.
| Company | AI grade |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. | B |
| Brightstar Lottery PLC | B |
| Churchill Downs Inc | B |
| Cinemark Holdings, Inc. | B |
| DraftKings Inc. | B |
| Liberty Live Holdings, Inc. | B |
| Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. | B |
| Lionsgate Studios Corp. | B |
Grades are occupation-weighted AI exposure from our employer corpus - not a claim that every establishment in Independent artists, writers, and performers shares the same risk. Source: SEC company metadata + O*NET-weighted scores · as of 2026-05-15.
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.
Which public companies sit near Independent artists, writers, and performers?
23 tracked public companies in NAICS sector 71 (sibling industries included). Sample names include Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc., Brightstar Lottery PLC, Churchill Downs Inc. Grades are occupation-weighted AI exposure scores, not company-specific automation forecasts.
How will AI affect the Independent artists, writers, and performers industry?
Among 23 tracked public companies tied to this industry's sector, the mean occupation-weighted AI exposure score is 42.4% (most common grade B). That is a staffing-pattern signal from our employer corpus, not a forecast for every firm in Independent artists, writers, and performers. Pair it with occupation-level AI exposure scores for role-specific risk.
Where to look next under contraction
What to do with this
Use Independent artists, writers, and performers' employment and exposure numbers above to look up individual employers and occupations, not just the industry aggregate.
- See how public employers in this and other industries rank nationwide by AI displacement risk. Employer AI risk rankings
- Browse individual occupations to see exposure and wage detail below the industry level. Browse all occupations
- Compare this industry's outlook against a specific occupation or employer using the interactive tool. Workforce comparison tool
Industry-level figures are aggregates; individual employer and occupation outcomes vary.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034; SEC employer metadata for AI grades Employment figures in thousands. Employer grades are occupation-weighted exposure scores, not firm automation forecasts