How much does a fine artist make in Chicago?
$54,990a year
Median yearly pay for fine artists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $26.44 an hour or $4,583 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.44
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 27 of 41
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,140Median: $54,990Highest 10%: $101,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,140 | $14.97 | |
| 25th | $37,440 | $18.00 | |
| Median | $54,990 | $26.44 | |
| 75th | $78,380 | $37.68 | |
| 90th | $101,900 | $48.99 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for fine artists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Camera Operator | $102,400 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $83,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fine artist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $26.44 ($54,990 a year).
Do fine artists make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $54,990 against $55,490 nationally, 1% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $53,850, so Chicago pays 2% more.
Where does Chicago rank for fine artist pay?
27 of 41 metro areas with data.
How much does a fine artist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,140 or less a year; the top 10% make $101,900 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.