Post job

Visual artist vs artist assistant

The differences between visual artists and artist assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a visual artist and an artist assistant. Additionally, a visual artist has an average salary of $81,873, which is higher than the $71,274 average annual salary of an artist assistant.

The top three skills for a visual artist include animation, maya and visual development. The most important skills for an artist assistant are adobe photoshop, video shoots, and photography.

Visual artist vs artist assistant overview

Visual ArtistArtist Assistant
Yearly salary$81,873$71,274
Hourly rate$39.36$34.27
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs7,2094,205
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Visual artist vs artist assistant salary

Visual artists and artist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Visual ArtistArtist Assistant
Average salary$81,873$71,274
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $127,000Between $43,000 And $115,000
Highest paying CitySparks, NV-
Highest paying stateNevada-
Best paying companyNVIDIA-
Best paying industry--

Differences between visual artist and artist assistant education

There are a few differences between a visual artist and an artist assistant in terms of educational background:

Visual ArtistArtist Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorFine ArtsFine Arts
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Visual artist vs artist assistant demographics

Here are the differences between visual artists' and artist assistants' demographics:

Visual ArtistArtist Assistant
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 59.5% Female, 40.5%Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between visual artist and artist assistant duties and responsibilities

Visual artist example responsibilities.

  • Edit video, write copy for television, radio, and web-base commercials while managing the scheduling of all studio employees.
  • Design creative materials, including advertisements, media kits, logo and promotional materials for several collaborative projects.
  • Model, texture and integrate 3D mesh FX with 3DSMax
  • Modele and shade 3D facial replacements and simulate smoke effects in Maya.
  • Design texture sheets and unique materials and shaders for particles and mesh FX.
  • Used Maya and Photoshop to create matte paintings and landscape environment using modeling and camera projection techniques.
  • Show more

Artist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate effective communication skills, well-execute and expedient application of makeup to achieve the look guests desires.
  • Re-Modele the website using HTML, AJAX, XHTML and CSS.
  • Design and implement after-school arts clubs for Pre-K to 2nd grade students.
  • Design, fabrication, and sales of products and art ranging from furniture to printmaking.
  • Paint and market fine art.-Produce original watercolor artwork-Coordinate with galleries-Work with publishers for reproduction contracts-Teach watercolor workshops-Wrote watercolor instruction book
  • Create original artwork using pen & ink, charcoal, and acrylic paints.
  • Show more

Visual artist vs artist assistant skills

Common visual artist skills
  • Animation, 15%
  • Maya, 11%
  • Visual Development, 9%
  • Visual Effects, 7%
  • VFX, 6%
  • Motion Graphics, 5%
Common artist assistant skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 17%
  • Video Shoots, 13%
  • Photography, 9%
  • Sculpture, 8%
  • Graphic Design, 5%
  • Art Projects, 4%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs