CFChooseField
Arts, Design, Media, and Sports

Craft Artists

Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Craft Artists
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Median pay

$38,480
Median annual pay for Craft Artists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

11,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Craft Artists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Design
  2. 2Fine Arts
  3. 3Sales and Marketing
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Production and Processing

Abilities

  1. 1Originality
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Finger Dexterity
  4. 4Manual Dexterity
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Fluency of Ideas

Career interests

  1. 1Artistic
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Social

Work styles

  1. 1Innovation
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Initiative
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Adaptability

Work activities

  1. 1Thinking Creatively
  2. 2Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Handling and Moving Objects
  5. 5Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  6. 6Selling or Influencing Others

Work context

  1. 1Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3E-Mail
  4. 4Freedom to Make Decisions
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Representative 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.

Software and tools

Facebook · hot technologyDRAWSTITCH Artistic Sewing SuiteElectric Quilt Quilt Design WizardEmail softwareEmbroidery design softwareFloriani MDQ My Decorative QuilterJohn Hesselberth and Ron Roy GlazeMasterPattern design softwareSales management softwareSmugMug FlickrTwitterWeb browser software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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