Arts Salaries

Average Salary: £33,522.74

Min: £21,320.00 Max: £57,200.00

Average Arts Salary in UK: £33,522.74

The average Arts salary is £33,523.
Working in Arts you can earn between £21,320 and £57,200.
The starting salary for junior Arts jobs is £21,320.
The hourly pay range for Arts jobs is £10.25 to £27.50.

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In the UK, the creative and arts industries contribute a vast amount of money to the economic worth of the country. The sector has grown over the years and now makes up over 5% of the UK economy as a whole. Over 2 million people work in creative roles with the rise in digital creative roles helping to boost these numbers further.

The arts offer many opportunities to work in specialist areas such as fashion design, film and TV, performing arts, or museum jobs and roles in art galleries.

The average salary for a career in the arts varies and is dependent on the role you choose. An artist working within an art company or independently, creating commissions for clients can earn from £20,000 and much more.

You could choose a career in graphic design with a salary of £31,400 and more as you progress through your art career.

Core responsibilities in Arts

Working in the arts will allow you to hone your craft as an artist, interior designer, or actor. Alternatively, there are many jobs in the arts that focus on management and administration.  You can work for a gallery, library, or museum within the office environment or as a guide within the venue.

As an art director for a gallery, for example, it will be your responsibility to curate artifacts, organise exhibitions and come up with creative ways to entice people to the venue.

Core Arts skills

A passion for art and some form of creative talent are an essential element to a successful career in the arts. You will need to be independent and proactive in your working approach and be prepared for the different working environments you may be required to attend, such as studios, music venues, or galleries.

Your passion for art, music, or design can be put to great use in the arts and the working hours and environment can vary from project to project, so you will need to be both adaptable and resilient.

If this sounds like you, then maybe it is time to start an exciting career in arts.

What to expect from a career in Arts

Arts careers can look very different depending on where you choose to work. Graphic designers will work within an office environment while choosing a career in fashion, TV, or entertainment can take your work to many different places.

A flexible but reliable approach is required as work will likely be project-based and have deadlines that need to be achieved. Flexibility with work hours is also important as the work may not always be required during normal working hours.

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Arts Salaries by Region

Compare Arts salaries across different regions

Region Salary
East Midlands £29,632.14
Eastern £33,138.91
London £36,522.31
North East £34,180.24
North West £32,898.87
Northern Ireland £35,903.48
Scotland £36,061.90
South East £32,750.85
South West £31,716.85
Wales £36,706.29
West Midlands £30,471.47
Yorkshire and the Humber £30,112.37

Top Paying Locations for Arts Jobs in the UK

The average salary for Arts professionals in the United Kingdom is significantly influenced by location. The general region and area will affect your base salary in Arts jobs. However, you are not alone if relocating is not something you want to consider, and it doesn't mean that you can't make a higher income.

For example, you could choose to work for an Arts business that is city-based. While London leads the way, working for employers located in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Reading, Leeds, and Cardiff will help you earn higher wages per year, compared to companies situated in smaller villages and towns.

Arts Professional Development

The answer to 'how much do Arts professionals earn?' can only be answered by considering where along the career path the individual and job title sit. The total year's experience in the Arts sector will change what the employer is prepared to offer. An entry-level Arts salary will be the lowest, followed by fully qualified workers, senior-level staff, and management.

While you can expect a starting salary for Arts workers to be at the bottom of the pay scale, graduates with a relevant qualification have a higher worth, commanding a better starting salary. UK training opportunities are plentiful, so even if attaining a university degree is out of the question, increasing your skills through workshops and online courses will help you raise the money you can earn a year in your chosen role.

How much are Arts professionals paid? Our data and graphs give you guidance on the wage range and earning per annum for junior, intermediate, and senior roles. 

Arts Work Experience

Gaining Arts pre-entry work experience can be crucial in helping you secure employment and a decent rate per hour. Work placements, internships, apprenticeships, shadowing, and vacation work can all help you gain the experience you need. If you cannot find work experience in the Arts industry, you might be able to show potential employers that you have acquired transferable skills elsewhere.

Arts Working Hours

As with all business sectors, the working hours in Arts will affect what you earned during the month. Small, medium, and larger firms may pay a higher overtime rate or offer more money if you work unsociable hours, such as evenings, nights, weekends, and national holidays.

Salaries of part-time, full-time, permanent, temporary, and contract staff all differ and will affect your decision on whether you are earning fair compensation.

Arts Salary Negotiations

Before you enter salary negotiations with employers, hiring managers, or the head of HR, it pays to get prepared. Compare the salaries for the Arts sector on this page to help determine what you are worth. You can perform a salary search for different job titles and locations.

It is worth remembering that you can profit from more than just financial benefits and performance-related commission. Is a high salary in the UK worth more than the freedom to work from home, have more paid holiday, a gym membership, or have private healthcare benefits?

Arts Job Search

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