Art Instructor Salary

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There are many factors that determine how much you should be earning as an Art Instructor. Use Zippia's Salary Calculator to see how your pay matches up.

How Much Does an Art Instructor Earn In The United States?

Art Instructor Salaries

Updated April 6, 2021

Average Yearly Salary

$46,000

$33,000

$46,000

$66,000

Did you know that the average art instructor makes $46,844 per year? That's valued at $22.52 per hour! The range surrounding that average can vary between $33,000 and $66,000, meaning art instructors have the opportunity to earn more once they move past entry-level roles. Most art instructors find a job with education and non profits companies, while others work for education, government, and non profits companies to make more money. Those aren't the only places you can earn a higher paycheck. Connecticut, California and Massachusetts are the top states in the U.S. to pay art instructors the highest salaries.

Best Paying Cities

1. Santa Clara, CA

Average Salary: $59,588

2. Tucson, AZ

Average Salary: $52,900

3. Greenville, NC

Average Salary: $49,649

Art Instructor Jobs: 1

4. New Brunswick, NJ

Average Salary: $49,642

5. New York, NY

Average Salary: $48,783

6. Renton, WA

Average Salary: $48,647

7. Baltimore, MD

Average Salary: $45,844

8. Houston, TX

Average Salary: $45,039

9. Eagan, MN

Average Salary: $42,442

10. Fayetteville, AR

Average Salary: $42,298

11. Chesapeake, VA

Average Salary: $41,769

12. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Average Salary: $41,018

13. Lafayette, LA

Average Salary: $40,745

14. Denver, CO

Average Salary: $34,499

Art Instructor Jobs: 1

15. Las Cruces, NM

Average Salary: $29,637

Art Instructor Jobs: 1

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Where Art Instructors Earn The Most

The darker areas on the map show where art instructors earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Average Salary

How Much Do Art Instructors Earn In Different Cities?

Throughout the U.S., the average salary for an art instructor is roughly $46,844 per year, which boils down to $22.52 per hour. Interestingly enough, art instructors have the highest salaries in Santa Clara, CA at about $59,588 per year. For those who are just starting out, the average entry-level salary in Santa Clara, CA is $31,000. Additionally, art instructors make more than the average salary in Tucson, AZ, Greenville, NC, New Brunswick, NJ, New York, NY, and Renton, WA. On a more broad level, art instructor salaries are highest in Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Alabama. On the contrary, Colorado, South Carolina, and Tennessee offer the lowest art instructor salaries.

1. Santa Clara, CA

$59,588

Avg. Salary

$22k

$82k

2. Tucson, AZ

$52,900

Avg. Salary

$22k

$82k

3. Greenville, NC

$49,649

Avg. Salary

$22k

$82k

4. New Brunswick, NJ

$49,642

Avg. Salary

$22k

$82k

5. New York, NY

$48,783

Avg. Salary

$22k

$82k

6. Renton, WA

$48,647

Avg. Salary

$22k

$82k

High Paying Art Instructor Jobs

Which Companies Pay Art Instructors The Most?

To earn a high income as an art instructor, working for National Academy of Sciences or Otis College of Art and Design might be your best bet, as they are the highest paying companies in this field. In addition, companies like Eden Prairie and prism report highly competitive wages for art instructors.

1. National Academy of Sciences

4.0

$61,420

Avg. Salary

$31k

$71k

2. Otis College of Art and Design

4.0

$61,191

Avg. Salary

$31k

$71k

3. Eden Prairie

3.1

$55,622

Avg. Salary

$31k

$71k

4. prism

4.2

$55,139

Avg. Salary

$31k

$71k

5. City of Charlottesville

4.0

$53,196

Avg. Salary

$31k

$71k

6. Sabino High School

4.3

$52,973

Avg. Salary

$31k

$71k

The largest raises come from changing jobs.

See what's out there.

How would you rate the starting salaries for graduates in this field, as well as the salary prospects down the line as they advance in their careers?

Barbara Bonnekessen Ph.D.

Professor and Dean, Eastern Illinois University

Starting salaries depend on the particular job you take (and having a master's degree will always increase that). That depends on your abilities (initially documented through your academic work), mobility, and sometimes sheer luck. But most people hold 5-7 jobs during their lifetime, and each job change could be a career move to better pay and a better work environment and more exciting work. Liberal arts graduates increase their wages by 43% throughout their work-life (compared to the business at 44% and STEM at 50%); the abovementioned broad educational portfolio of the liberal arts graduate allows for that movement. And while salaries are necessary, don't forget to factor in job satisfaction with a supportive work environment and work in which you can take pride.Show more