According to a slightly dated survey done by the 3×3 magazine, there are illustrators in the US that earn as much as $948,000 per year. But, $530,000 of that amount came from other sources such as selling prints and commissioned work. The average income of the best illustrators in New York is around $100,000 per year.
Do illustrators make good money?
- Do illustrators make good money? In May 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that illustrators and other fine artists made a median wage of $49,520 a year; one half of illustrators made less than that, and one half earned more than that.
What is the average salary of an illustrator?
- The average salary for a illustrator is $49,096 per year in the United States. 981 salaries reported, updated at March 21, 2022.
How much do illustrators get paid per book?
- Royalties is the percentage paid to the illustrator for each book sold. If the illustrator is also the author of the book, then royalties will range between 5% and 10%. Generally, royalties for hardback cover books will be on the higher end of the range, whereas paperback covers will be on the lower end.
How to make a living as a freelance illustrator?
- - Sell your original artwork via Etsy/Ebay/Shopify - Sell prints of your art - Become a vendor on 99 Designs - Open up shop on Fiverr, eLance, etc - Get hired to do art for advertising - Do caricatures for wedding, business events, etc - Teach classes - Do comissions - Become an artist for one of the comic book companies - Create your own children'
ZipRecruiter estimates a conservative average salary of $59,837 per year (or about $29 per hour) for freelancers. Indeed reports their estimate quite a bit higher, at an average of $45.61 per hour. Factors like geography and education have less of an impact on freelance careers.