Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The average salary for a Studio Assistant is reported at $31,701 annually, with hourly rates averaging around $15. This figure reflects the earnings across various locations and industries. For instance, Studio Assistants in major metropolitan areas may earn higher wages due to the cost of living. Entry-level positions typically start lower but can increase with experience and specialization.
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Entry-level Studio Assistants might earn around $25,000, while those with several years of experience can earn upwards of $40,000 annually. This growth highlights the potential for salary advancement in this career.
States such as California and New York often provide higher salaries for Studio Assistants, reflecting their vibrant creative industries. Similarly, industries like film production and high-end photography tend to offer more lucrative positions.
For those interested in pursuing a career as a Studio Assistant, various job openings are available. Websites like Zippia provide resources to help you find positions that match your skills and aspirations. By understanding salary dynamics and job trends, you can position yourself for success in this rewarding field.
Let Zippia find your next studio assistant job
Let Zippia find your next studio assistant job
The average studio assistant salary in Hawaii, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average studio assistant salary states are Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $39,399 | $18.94 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $46,034 | $22.13 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $44,654 | $21.47 |
| 4 | New York | $36,244 | $17.43 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $39,521 | $19.00 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $37,891 | $18.22 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $32,066 | $15.42 |
| 10 | Vermont | $38,058 | $18.30 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $36,088 | $17.35 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $37,038 | $17.81 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $29,732 | $14.29 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $35,503 | $17.07 |
| 15 | Arizona | $30,979 | $14.89 |
| 16 | Washington | $32,516 | $15.63 |
| 17 | California | $33,845 | $16.27 |
| 18 | Maine | $32,669 | $15.71 |
| 19 | Texas | $28,876 | $13.88 |
| 20 | Colorado | $29,069 | $13.98 |
| 21 | Illinois | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $29,021 | $13.95 |
| 23 | Utah | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| 24 | Ohio | $26,915 | $12.94 |
| 25 | Florida | $27,968 | $13.45 |
| 26 | Virginia | $28,733 | $13.81 |
| 27 | Maryland | $31,054 | $14.93 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| 29 | Oregon | $28,776 | $13.83 |
| 30 | Iowa | $28,073 | $13.50 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $29,114 | $14.00 |
| 32 | Nevada | $27,317 | $13.13 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $28,414 | $13.66 |
| 34 | Alabama | $27,781 | $13.36 |
| 35 | Missouri | $28,748 | $13.82 |
| 36 | Kansas | $28,107 | $13.51 |
| 37 | Michigan | $26,959 | $12.96 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $27,075 | $13.02 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $25,894 | $12.45 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $26,538 | $12.76 |
| 41 | Indiana | $26,372 | $12.68 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $24,870 | $11.96 |
| 43 | Montana | $22,642 | $10.89 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $24,968 | $12.00 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $26,448 | $12.72 |
| 46 | Georgia | $25,950 | $12.48 |
| 47 | Idaho | $22,027 | $10.59 |
| 48 | Delaware | $25,793 | $12.40 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $22,874 | $11.00 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $23,664 | $11.38 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $21,297 | $10.24 |
The highest-paying cities for studio assistants are Glen Cove, NY, San Diego, CA, and Seattle, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glen Cove, NY | $36,427 | $17.51 |
| 2 | San Diego, CA | $34,527 | $16.60 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $32,487 | $15.62 |
| 4 | Menomonee Falls, WI | $31,999 | $15.38 |
| 5 | Scottsdale, AZ | $30,737 | $14.78 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $30,377 | $14.60 |
| 7 | Springfield, VA | $30,181 | $14.51 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $29,089 | $13.99 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $28,376 | $13.64 |
| 10 | Lawrence, KS | $28,148 | $13.53 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $28,015 | $13.47 |
A studio assistant's salary ranges from $20,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| Average | $31,701 | $2,642 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $20,000 | $1,667 | $10 |
Top companies hiring studio assistants now:
Studio assistant salaries at School of Visual Concepts and Skidmore College are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average studio assistant salary at companies like Saint Xavier University and Covenant College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School of Visual Concepts | $145,299 | $69.86 |
| 2 | Skidmore College | $66,274 | $31.86 |
| 3 | Saint Xavier University | $52,717 | $25.34 |
| 4 | Covenant College | $41,222 | $19.82 |
| 5 | The University of Kansas Health System | $36,482 | $17.54 |
| 6 | The Walt Disney Company | $36,203 | $17.41 |
| 7 | Amazon | $35,881 | $17.25 |
| 8 | Middle East Broadcasting Network | $33,843 | $16.27 |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania | $33,650 | $16.18 |
| 10 | Local Projects | $33,517 | $16.11 |
| 11 | Chapman University | $32,623 | $15.68 |
| 12 | Rue Gilt Groupe | $32,594 | $15.67 |
| 13 | Nordstrom | $32,409 | $15.58 |
| 14 | Steve Madden | $31,858 | $15.32 |
| 15 | Amer Sports | $31,581 | $15.18 |
| 16 | Rooms To Go | $30,267 | $14.55 |
| 17 | ConAm Management | $29,413 | $14.14 |
| 18 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | $27,385 | $13.17 |
| 19 | VF | $25,873 | $12.44 |
| 20 | Arhaus | $25,849 | $12.43 |
The average studio assistant salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $39,504 | $18.99 |
| 2 | Professional | $38,806 | $18.66 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $34,376 | $16.53 |
| 4 | Internet | $34,322 | $16.50 |
| 5 | Media | $33,498 | $16.10 |
| 6 | Retail | $30,974 | $14.89 |
| 7 | Technology | $28,547 | $13.72 |
The average studio assistant salary has risen by $5,695 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average studio assistant earned $26,006 annually, but today, they earn $31,701 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for studio assistants over the last decade.
Compare studio assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare studio assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,700 | $15.24 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $30,800 | $14.79 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $29,900 | $14.37 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $29,000 | $13.96 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $28,400 | $13.66 | +2.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Art Studio Assistant (Pool)-Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner, MA | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Art Studio Assistant-Ceramics/Glass | Cedar Rapids, IA | 06/26/2025 | $32,453 |
| State of Virginia | Gari Melchers Home & Studio Grounds Assistant | Enon, VA | 06/04/2025 | $34,540 |
| The University of Chicago | Technical Studio Assistant | Chicago, IL | 05/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Brookdale Community College | Laboratory/Studio Assistant-Architecture | Lincroft, NJ | 05/22/2025 | $43,394 |
| First Peoples Fund | Wicahpi Olowan (WO) Studio + Music Assistant (Oglala Lakota Artspace) | Kyle, SD | 05/16/2025 | $56,349 |
| University of Mary Washington | Gari Melchers Home & Studio Grounds Assistant | Fredericksburg, VA | 05/08/2025 | $34,540 |
| Ocean State Job Lot | Photography Studio Assistant | North Kingstown, RI | 05/04/2025 | $48,001 |
| Sam Houston State University | Student Employee-Dept of Art-Ceramics Studio Assistant | Huntsville, TX | 05/04/2025 | $16,696 |
| The University of Chicago | Technical Studio Assistant | Chicago, IL | 04/29/2025 | $41,740 |
Search for studio assistant jobs