Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
SOC Code: 27-1013
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators carries a 29% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $60,560 and -1.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 26,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators (SOC 27-1013) carries an AI exposure score of 29%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 26,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -1.2% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $60,560, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Registered Apprenticeship Pathway Available
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators is a recognized registered apprenticeship occupation under the DOL RAPIDS system. Earn while you train — apprentices typically start at ~$16/hr and reach $28–$46/hr upon completion, depending on the specific trade and region.
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- 2. Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
- 3. Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
- 4. Create sculptures, statues, and other three-dimensional artwork by using abrasives and tools to shape, carve, and fabricate materials such as clay, stone, wood, or metal.
- 5. Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
- 6. Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
- 7. Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- 8. Shade and fill in sketch outlines and backgrounds, using a variety of media such as water colors, markers, and transparent washes, labeling designated colors when necessary.
- 9. Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
- 10. Submit artwork to shows or galleries.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Fine Arts
- Education and Training
- Communications and Media
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators?
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators has an AI exposure score of 29%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators is projected to decline by 1.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 26,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators?
Key skills for Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators include Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators earn?
The median annual wage for Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators is $60,560, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators?
The typical entry-level education for Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators?
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).