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Artist II Salary in the United States

How much does an Artist II make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Artist II in the United States is $69,580 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, an Artist II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,335
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,180 to $76,780
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,622
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Artist II Salaries

An Artist II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Artist II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Artist IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $77,080.
  • California: $76,780.
  • Massachusetts: $75,780.

Top Paying Cities for Artist IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $87,780
  • San Francisco: $86,780
  • Oakland: $84,980

What Skills Can Increase an Artist II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 6% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • InDesign (Mentioned in 4% Job Postings): nDesign is a desktop publishing software application for creating flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, and books. Projects created using InDesign can be shared in both digital and print formats.
  • Animation (Mentioned in 2% Job Postings): Animation is a method in which pictures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most animations are made with computer-generated imagery (CGI). Computer animation can be very detailed 3D animation, while 2D computer animation can be used for stylistic reasons, low bandwidth or faster real-time renderings. Other common animation methods apply a stop motion technique to two and three-dimensional objects like paper cutouts, puppets or clay figures. Commonly the effect of animation is achieved by a rapid succession of sequential images that minimally differ from each other. The illusion—as in motion pictures in general—is thought to rely on the phi phenomenon and beta movement, but the exact causes are still uncertain. Analog mechanical animation media that rely on the rapid display of sequential images include the phénakisticope, zoetrope, flip book, praxinoscope and film. Television and video are popular electronic animation media that originally were analog and now operate digitally. For display on the computer, techniques like animated GIF and Flash animation were developed.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 6%
InDesign 4%
Animation 2%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Artist II's salary.

  • UX Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Creative Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Digital Design: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
UX Design $79,321
14%
Creative Thinking $77,930
12%
Digital Design $77,930
12%
Get Latest Data

Artist II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Artist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,679. While startup companies pay approximate $65,774.

Artist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,774
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,548
Established 501~5000 $75,005
Enterprise 5000+ $77,679

Artist II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Artist II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Artist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Artist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Artist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$97,412$47.040%
MFG Nondurable$93,933$45.035%
Business Services$90,454$43.030%
Energy & Utilities$86,975$42.025%
Aerospace & Defense$83,496$40.020%

How Education impacts an Artist II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Artist IIs enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Artist II with a No Diploma is between $66,149 and $72,552).

Artist II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Artist II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.3%
High School 12.8%
Associates 13.4%
Bachelors 59.3%
Masters 9.6%
Doctorate 0.7%
View as Graph

Artist II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Artist II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$60,180
Average $69,580/year
$76,780
$5,015
Average $5,798/month
$6,398
$1,157
Average $1,338/week
$1,477
$29
Average $33/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,780 $6,398 $1,477 $37
Average $69,580 $5,798 $1,338 $33
25th Percentile $60,180 $5,015 $1,157 $29

Artist II Salary Growth & Career Path

Artist II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Artist II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Art and Design Manager $111,200 60%
Photo/Video Specialist III $87,200 25%

Most common benefits for Artist II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Artist II

Here are companies hiring for Artist II and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Artist II Job

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FAQ about Artist II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Artist II?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Artist II roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. How much do Netflix 2D animators make?

A 2D Animator at Netflix in the United States can expect to earn between $64,680 and $85,180 annually, with a median salary of approximately $74,580. This reflects a competitive compensation package that is significantly above the national average for similar roles.

3. What is the highest paying artist job?

The highest paying artist jobs include positions like Art Director, with salaries ranging from $64,680 to $85,180 per year. Other lucrative roles are Director of Creative Services and Game Designer, which can offer competitive salaries. Digital Artists also have a wide salary range, making the field diverse in earning potential.

4. Can I be a millionaire as an artist?

While it's common to think that being an artist doesn't guarantee financial stability, the salary data shows that artists can earn between $64,680 and $85,180 annually. While not all artists become millionaires, there is potential for significant income in the field, and with dedication and talent, financial success is achievable.

5. How much do 2D game artists make in the US?

As of now, 2D Game Artists in the US earn between $64,680 and $85,180 annually, with a median salary of $74,580. This translates to approximately $31.06 to $40.94 per hour, or about $1,890 to $3,200 per month. The salary can vary based on experience, location, and the specific employer.

6. How is the richest artist in America?

The richest artist in America is American rapper Jay-Z, with a net worth estimated at US$2.5 billion in 2024. For artists in general, salaries range from a minimum of $64,680 to a mid-point of $74,580, reaching a maximum of $85,180, reflecting the diverse earnings in the music industry.

7. How much can I make from FX?

According to the latest salary data for artists, you can expect to earn between $64,680 and $85,180 annually, with a mid-salary of $74,580. While Forex trading can yield varying results, it's essential to approach it cautiously, as many beginners may face challenges in achieving consistent profits initially.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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