Arts & Communication
This career area revolves around entertaining audiences whether it’s behind the scenes or up on stage. Maybe you dream of singing in a stadium packed with thousands of people or you want to share the evening weather report, the artistic field has endless possibilities. Careers span from Dancers to Artists to News Reporters.
- This area employs around 8,252,000 people, about 5.3% of the entire workforce.
- By 2030, the projected number of jobs is set to increase by about 9.95%.
- The mean wage is $31.74 an hour or $66,030 annually.
There are 5 main areas or pathways to consider in Arts & Communication –
- Audio, Video and Filmmaking – Focuses on designing, creating, and operating audio & video equipment, films, videos, and audio recordings.
- Journalism, Writing and Broadcasting – Focuses on writing, researching, and producing stories, news and sports broadcast and general commentaries.
- Performing Arts – Focuses on live entertainment like musicals, concerts, and sports throughout the entire creation, development, and production of the events and performances.
- Printing Technology – Focuses on turning digital and written works into printed form like books, graphics, and flyers.
- Visual & Fine Arts – Focuses on the creation of artistic works by photography, painting, sculpting, and other methods.
Industries In Arts & Communication –
- Broadcasting – Comprised of organizations create content or accrue approved content and broadcast it to the public.
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries – Comprised of organizations produce and distribute movies, commercials, music and related goods and services.
- Performing Arts, Sports, and Entertainment Industries – Comprised of organizations host and produce performances and other live entertainment.
- Printing and Related Support Activities – Comprised of organizations that print products like books, newspapers, t-shirts, and other goods.
- Publishing Industries – Comprised of organizations that publish books, newspapers, magazines and other written works.
Careers In Arts & Communication –
| Job Title | Mean Hourly Wage | Projected Growth By 2030 | Minimum Education Required | Average Years Of School & Training | Average Debt From School & Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actors | $31.42 | 36.1% | Some College, No Degree | 1 – 2 Years | -$15,000 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $47.15 | 10.6% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Art Directors | $55.047 | 12.8% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Artists and Related Workers | $33.48 | 9.3% | No Formal Educational Credential | None | None |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $45.55 | 25.3% | No Formal Educational Credential | None | None |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $27.55 | 6.8% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $23.68 | 10.5% | Associate’s Degree | 2 Years | -$15,000 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $32.50 | 13.4% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Choreographers | $25.00 | -7.4% | High School Diploma or Equivalent | None | None |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $36.68 | 18.4% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Costume Attendants | $24.89 | 3.6% | High School Diploma or Equivalent | None | None |
| Craft Artists | $18.39 | 8.7% | No Formal Educational Credential | None | None |
| Curators | $29.64 | 12.5% | Master’s Degree | 6 – 7 Years | -$70,000 |
| Dancers | $25.08 | 8.4% | No Formal Educational Credential | None | None |
| Designers | $34.30 | 8.3% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Desktop Publishers | $24.33 | -1.0% | Associate’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Editors | $35.53 | 8.9% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Fashion Designers | $41.33 | 11.3% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Film and Video Editors | $40.33 | 24.5% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $31.26 | 14.9% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Floral Designers | $14.74 | 8.5% | High School Diploma or Equivalent | None | None |
| Graphic Designers | $28.06 | 23.4% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Lighting Technicians and Media and Communication Equipment Workers | $36.00 | 0.2% | High School Diploma or Equivalent | None | None |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $48.07 | 6.1% | Postsecondary Nondegree Award | 1 – 2 Years | -$15,000 |
| Media and Communication Workers | $26.70 | -35.0% | High School Diploma or Equivalent | None | None |
| Entertainers, Performers, and Sports Related Workers | $23.99 | 10.5% | No Formal Educational Credential | None | None |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $24.04 | 4.5% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $31.60 | 14.3% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Musicians and Singers | $41.72 | 22.2% | No Formal Educational Credential | None | None |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $31.73 | 8.2% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Photographers | $24.18 | 15.5% | High School Diploma or Equivalent | None | None |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $20.85 | -13.6% | Postsecondary Nondegree Award | 1 – 2 Years | -$15,000 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $17.51 | -2.5% | High School Diploma or Equivalent | None | None |
| Printing Press Operators | $19.32 | 5.8% | High School Diploma or Equivalent | None | None |
| Producers and Directors | $46.49 | 21.4% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Proofreaders and Copy Markers | $21.48 | -2.0% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $31.06 | 32.6% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $32.31 | 13.2% | Postsecondary Nondegree Award | 1 – 2 Years | -$15,000 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $42.35 | 14.3% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Technical Writers | $37.78 | 23.9% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
| Writers and Authors | $37.82 | 0.4% | Bachelor’s Degree | 4 – 5 Years | -$25,000 |
Resources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2020/may/oes_nat.htm.” Accessed December 13, 2021.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Projections and Worker Characteristics, www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm.” Accessed December 13, 2021.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh” Accessed December 13, 2021.
