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Creative & Media

Craft Artists

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

Median salary (BLS)

$46,080

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$26k – $72k

Job outlook

+2% (about average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $91,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Craft Artists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$8,000–$22,000

Time to qualify

2 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Craft Artists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Craft Artists

    Entry / Junior

    $25,960

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Craft Artists

    Established

    $46,080

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Craft Artists

    Senior

    $59,035

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Creative & Media

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.