Changing shape

Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

AI Resistance Index 22 of 99

Changing faster than most: more resilient than 22% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by -2.9% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on creative vision and physical dexterity.

AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.

Median pay (2025): $55,490
Job growth to 2035: -2.9%
Openings a year: 2,200
People doing it (2025): 28,900
Usual route in: Bachelor's degree, then long on-the-job training

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Where people already use AI for this work

Explain technical details of products or services
Create visual designs or displays
Arrange displays or decorations

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Maintain operational records
Present arts or entertainment performances
Process shipments or mail

What the work looks like

Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
Create sculptures, statues, and other three-dimensional artwork by using abrasives and tools to shape, carve, and fabricate materials such as clay, stone, wood, or metal.
Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as more images are generated by artificial intelligence (AI) tools, substituting for some illustrators.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Film and video editorsGrows with AI, Index 33, +3.7%
Set and exhibit designersChanging shape, Index 35, +1.4%
Designers, all otherChanging shape, Index 24, +1.2%
Music directors and composersChanging shape, Index 28, +1.2%

Also known as: Artist, Fine Artist, Painter, Sculptor, Automotive Artist, Blacksmith, Ice Carver, Illustrator.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.