Artists and Other Cultural Workers

Domain A: Artists and Other Cultural Workers provides a comprehensive description of artists and individuals whose employment involves supporting artists or the arts industry (the latter referred to as other cultural workers). Indicators in this domain will explore artists and other cultural workers by demographic characteristics and background, the types of art they create, and their means of employment and income.

For more information on Domain A, view our infographic and access short papers and data for each indicator below. New indicators and updated statistics for current indicators will be released as data become available.

Key Findings

  • In 2022, there were approximately 2.7 million artists in the total U.S. labor force, a 5 percent increase from 2010. (See A.1. Who are the artists?)
  • In 2022, there were about 549,000 artists aged 18–29 among the 37.6 million employed young adults of this age group. (See A.8. What are labor market outcomes for young artists and other cultural workers?)
  • In 2021, there were approximately 1.1 million other cultural workers in the total U.S. labor force, which reflects no measurable change since 2010. (See A.2. Who are other cultural workers?)
  • Both artists and other cultural workers in the labor force were generally more educated and less racially and ethnically diverse than the total labor force.  (See A.1. Who are the artists? and A.2 Who are other cultural workers?)

State Employment in 2022:

  • The percentage of artists in the state labor force ranged from 0.7 percent in Mississippi, to 3.3 percent in the District of Columbia. (See A.3. Where are artists and other cultural workers located in the United States?)
  • Five states (New York, California, Rhode Island, Oregon, and Colorado) and the District of Columbia had higher proportions of artists in the state labor force than the national rate. Twenty-six states had below-average rates. (See A.3. Where are artists and other cultural workers located in the United States?)

Employment Status and Earnings in 2022:

  • Individuals reporting primary employment as an artist were less likely to be working full-time, compared to workers in general. (See A.7. What are the earnings for artists and other cultural workers?)

  • Median annual earnings of employed artists in 2022 varied by occupation. Earnings for full-time employed artists ranged from $41,320 for entertainers to $101,670 for architects. (See A.7. What are the earnings for artists and other cultural workers?)

     

Explore the Indicators

A.1 Who are the artists?

This indicator highlights the number of artists, by occupation, demographic group, and other individual characteristics. (See A.1 Tables for related data). This indicator is annually updated in July.

A.2 Who are other cultural workers?

This indicator highlights the number of other cultural workers, by occupation, demographic group, and other relevant individual characteristics. (See A.2 Tables for related data). This indicator is annually updated in July.

A.3 Where are artists and other cultural workers located in the United States?

This indicator highlights the number of artists and other cultural workers, by occupation and geographic location.  (See A.3 Tables for related data). This indicator is annually updated in July.

A.4 What do artists and other cultural workers study as undergraduates?

This indicator reports what artists and other cultural workers study for their bachelor’s degrees and the occupations of those with bachelor’s degrees in visual and performing arts. (See A.4 Tables  for related data). This indicator is annually updated in September.

A.5 What is the labor market status of artists and other cultural workers? 

This indicator explores employment and unemployment rates among artists and other cultural workers, comparing them with the national labor force, and examines employment characteristics such as hours worked, multiple job holdings, and reasons for part-time work. (See A.5 Tables  for related data). This indicator is annually updated in October.

A.6 Who are the arts managers?

This indicator presents demographic characteristics of managers in selected arts-related industries. (See A.6 Tables  for related data). This indicator is annually updated in September.

A.7 What are the earnings for artists and other cultural workers?

This indicator highlights earnings of artists and other cultural workers, supplemented with analysis of their household income, supplemented with analysis of their household income. (See A.7 Tables for related data). This indicator is annually updated in July.

A.8 What are labor market outcomes for young artists and other cultural workers?

This indicator highlights labor force status and earnings information for young artists and other cultural workers, supplemented with analysis of their household income. (See A.8 Tables for related data). This indicator is annually updated in September.

Additional Resources

Datasets at the National Archive of Data on Arts & Culture (NADAC):