Arts, design, media and sports
Craft artist
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
Median pay
$46,080
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
1,000
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Craft artist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Craft artist: 43% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Artist · Ceramic Artist · Decorative Arts Production Artist · Fiber Artist · Fine Craft Artist · Glass Artist · Goldsmith · Hand-Weaver
Outlook and AI
Craft artists held 11,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 11,800 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Craft artist vs. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
- Craft artist vs. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
- Craft artist vs. Etchers and engravers
- Craft artist vs. Fabric and apparel patternmakers
- Craft artist vs. Painting, coating, and decorating workers
- Craft artist vs. Model makers, wood
- Craft artist vs. Sewers, hand
- Craft artist vs. Patternmakers, metal and plastic
- Craft artist vs. Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
- Craft artist vs. Patternmakers, wood