Best degree programs for Craft Artists, ranked by enrollment
11 college programs and 917 schools train Craft Artists. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $46,080 median wage, 4,580 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
11 college programs at 917 schools train craft artists, graduating 25,129 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Art/Art Studies, General. The job pays a median of $46,080 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About craft artists
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
11 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 50.0701 | 19,283 | 76.7% | 717 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 2 | CIP 50.0101 | 3,397 | 13.5% | 270 | $24,752 | $25,963 |
| 3 | CIP 50.0713 | 725 | 2.9% | 20 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 4 | CIP 50.0708 | 638 | 2.5% | 52 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 5 | CIP 50.0705 | 368 | 1.5% | 33 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 6 | CIP 50.0709 | 230 | 0.9% | 38 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 7 | CIP 50.0711 | 172 | 0.7% | 44 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 8 | CIP 50.0710 | 165 | 0.7% | 31 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 9 | CIP 50.0712 | 100 | 0.4% | 10 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 10 | Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanrymain feeder CIP 50.0201 | 45 | 0.2% | 9 | $25,027 | $27,000 |
| 11 | CIP 50.0714 | 6 | 0.0% | 3 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 793 | Art/Art Studies, General | 16% | — | — |
| 2 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 718 | Art/Art Studies, General | 16% | — | — |
| 3 | Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 551 | Art/Art Studies, General | 32% | — | — |
| 4 | Chandler - Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 522 | Art/Art Studies, General | 30% | — | — |
| 5 | Paradise Valley Community College Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 447 | Art/Art Studies, General | 19% | — | — |
| 6 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 401 | Art/Art Studies, General | 14% | — | — |
| 7 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 351 | Art/Art Studies, General | 57% | — | 93% |
| 8 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 327 | Art/Art Studies, General | 76% | — | 36% |
| 9 | Gemological Institute of America - New York New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 304 | Jewelry Arts | 89% | $35,098 | — |
| 10 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 273 | Art/Art Studies, General | 17% | — | — |
| 11 | Rio Salado College Tempe, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 268 | Art/Art Studies, General | 9% | — | — |
| 12 | Gemological Institute of America - Carlsbad Carlsbad, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 265 | Jewelry Arts | 91% | $30,331 | — |
| 13 | South Mountain Community College Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 253 | Art/Art Studies, General | 16% | — | — |
| 14 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · 2 feeder programs | 251 | Art/Art Studies, General | 68% | — | 90% |
| 15 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 249 | Art/Art Studies, General | 36% | — | — |
| 16 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 239 | Art/Art Studies, General | 69% | — | 46% |
| 17 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 225 | Art/Art Studies, General | 53% | — | 91% |
| 18 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · 2 feeder programs | 223 | Art/Art Studies, General | 0% | — | 67% |
| 19 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Public · 1 feeder programs | 209 | Drawing | 53% | — | 55% |
| 20 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · 1 feeder programs | 192 | Art/Art Studies, General | 93% | — | 16% |
| 21 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 187 | Art/Art Studies, General | 70% | — | 91% |
| 22 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 163 | Painting | 89% | $41,764 | 19% |
| 23 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 153 | Art/Art Studies, General | 78% | — | 40% |
| 24 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 151 | Art/Art Studies, General | 61% | — | 72% |
| 25 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 142 | Art/Art Studies, General | 85% | — | 39% |
| 26 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 139 | Painting | 74% | $49,088 | 73% |
| 27 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · 2 feeder programs | 138 | Visual and Performing Arts, General | 68% | — | 87% |
| 28 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · 1 feeder programs | 136 | Art/Art Studies, General | 90% | — | 38% |
| 29 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 134 | Art/Art Studies, General | 80% | — | 72% |
| 30 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 134 | Art/Art Studies, General | 94% | $23,570 | 11% |
| 31 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 132 | Visual and Performing Arts, General | 34% | — | — |
| 32 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA Public · 2 feeder programs | 130 | Art/Art Studies, General | 33% | — | — |
| 33 | Fresno City College Fresno, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 127 | Art/Art Studies, General | 24% | — | — |
| 34 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA Public · 3 feeder programs | 118 | Art/Art Studies, General | 48% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · 1 feeder programs | 117 | Art/Art Studies, General | 75% | — | 84% |
| 36 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 112 | Art/Art Studies, General | 75% | — | 66% |
| 37 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 109 | Visual and Performing Arts, General | 28% | — | — |
| 38 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 109 | Art/Art Studies, General | 30% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · 3 feeder programs | 107 | Art/Art Studies, General | 65% | — | 74% |
| 40 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 102 | Art/Art Studies, General | 65% | — | 88% |
| 41 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 97 | Visual and Performing Arts, General | 62% | — | — |
| 42 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 96 | Painting | 69% | $44,902 | 83% |
| 43 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · 1 feeder programs | 95 | Art/Art Studies, General | 52% | — | 69% |
| 44 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 93 | Art/Art Studies, General | 57% | — | 95% |
| 45 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO Public · 2 feeder programs | 93 | Visual and Performing Arts, General | 58% | — | 74% |
| 46 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 92 | Painting | 72% | $37,659 | 77% |
| 47 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 90 | Art/Art Studies, General | 20% | — | — |
| 48 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 90 | Art/Art Studies, General | 45% | — | — |
| 49 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 89 | Art/Art Studies, General | 48% | — | — |
| 50 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 89 | Visual and Performing Arts, General | 30% | — | — |
What craft artists earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100,540 | 170 | 0.31× | 161 | 6,748 |
| Arizona | $46,300 | — | — | 20 | 4,858 |
| New York | $49,020 | 50 | 0.18× | 52 | 1,402 |
| Texas | $54,690 | 870 | 2.11× | 46 | 1,219 |
| Georgia | $48,880 | — | — | 24 | 793 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,600 | 230 | 1.30× | 39 | 588 |
| Massachusetts | $47,660 | 50 | 0.44× | 27 | 504 |
| Michigan | $25,960 | 290 | 2.24× | 30 | 499 |
| Florida | $48,710 | 270 | 0.93× | 15 | 470 |
| Illinois | $43,040 | — | — | 39 | 453 |
| Tennessee | $32,830 | — | — | 23 | 426 |
| Ohio | $38,070 | 180 | 1.13× | 24 | 399 |
| Wisconsin | $58,650 | 190 | 2.15× | 18 | 324 |
| Missouri | $61,780 | 140 | 1.60× | 17 | 295 |
| Washington | $44,120 | 80 | 0.79× | 10 | 267 |
| Minnesota | $27,560 | 140 | 1.57× | 26 | 228 |
| Alabama | $40,800 | 70 | 1.13× | 11 | 227 |
| Connecticut | $34,010 | 70 | 1.38× | 9 | 172 |
| Oregon | $51,060 | 170 | 2.93× | 9 | 162 |
| Louisiana | — | 50 | 0.84× | 7 | 139 |
| South Carolina | $35,050 | 70 | 1.00× | 14 | 128 |
| Maine | $53,380 | 50 | 2.44× | 5 | 69 |
| Coloradomoderate | $43,620 | — | — | 4 | 66 |
| Alaskamoderate | $41,600 | — | — | 3 | 27 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to 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.
- 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.
Skills
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Monitoring3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Writing2.8
- Active Learning2.8
- Mathematics2.1
Knowledge areas
- Design3.9
- Fine Arts3.7
- Sales and Marketing3.6
- English Language3.3
- Customer and Personal Service3.3
- Production and Processing3.2
Abilities
- Originality4.1
- Finger Dexterity3.9
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.9
- Manual Dexterity3.8
- Near Vision3.8
- Fluency of Ideas3.6
Core activities
- Thinking Creatively4.6
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.0
- Getting Information3.7
- Handling and Moving Objects3.6
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work3.6
- Selling or Influencing Others3.6
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Craft Artist
Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 11 majors mapped to Craft Artists11 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 50.0101Visual and Performing Arts, General
- 50.0201Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
- 50.0701Art/Art Studies, General
- 50.0705Drawing
- 50.0708Painting
- 50.0709Sculpture
- 50.0710Printmaking
- 50.0711Ceramic Arts and Ceramics
- 50.0712Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts
- 50.0713Jewelry Arts
- 50.0714Metal Arts
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Craft Artist?+
No formal educational credential is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Art/Art Studies, General, which awarded 19,283 degrees in 2024-25, 76.7% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Craft Artist?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 11 programs to this occupation. The largest are Fine and Studio Arts, Visual and Performing Arts, Crafts/Craft Design. Together they graduate about 25,129 people a year.
How much do craft artists earn?+
The median is $46,080 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $25,960 at the 10th percentile to $71,990 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for craft artists growing?+
BLS projects a +2.1% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 1,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
917 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 11 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do craft artists work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Artist, Fiber Artist, Glass Artist, Textile Artist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 27-1012.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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