Arts & Design
Careers

Inspiration Meets Industry, Careers & Jobs Guide – Skills,
Salary, Outlook + MAPP Fit | Assessment.com

Why Arts & Design Still Matter in a Tech-First World


Digital transformation has amplified, not replaced, the need for creative professionals. From UX icons to streaming-series storyboards, the Arts & Design sector remains a $900-billion corner of the U.S. economy. Yet roles differ wildly in stability, pay, and creative autonomy. Understanding the full menu of occupations is the first step toward an intentional career, not an accidental one.

Complete Occupational List

Sub-Area Core Output Typical Employers Median Pay*
Art Directors Career Guide Visual concepts for ads, film, games Ad agencies, studios $105k
Athletes and Sports Competitors Career Guide Professional participation in competitive sports Sports teams, athletic clubs $54k
Audio and Video Equipment Technicians Career Guide Setup and operation of audio/visual systems Event companies, broadcasters $49k
Broadcast News Analysts Career Guide Analyze and present news content TV networks, radio stations $70k
Broadcast Technicians Career Guide Operate and maintain broadcasting equipment Radio stations, TV studios $48k
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture Career Guide Capture visual footage for media projects Film studios, news networks $58k
Caption Writers Career Guide Create subtitles and closed captions Media companies, streaming platforms $45k
Cartoonists Career Guide Illustrate comics, editorial cartoons Newspapers, animation studios $51k
Choreographers Career Guide Design and direct dance routines Dance companies, theaters $53k
Coaches and Scouts Career Guide Train athletes, evaluate talent Sports teams, schools $50k
Commercial and Industrial Designers Career Guide Design products for mass production Manufacturing firms, design agencies $75k
Composers Career Guide Create original musical scores Orchestras, film studios $58k
Copywriters Career Guide Write persuasive marketing content Advertising agencies, media firms $63k
Creative Writers Career Guide Produce fiction, poetry, and scripts Publishing houses, media companies $50k
Dancers Career Guide Perform choreographed dance routines Dance troupes, theaters $42k
Directors Career Guide Oversee creative aspects of film, TV, or theater Film studios, theater companies $82k
Editors Career Guide Refine and finalize written or visual content Publishing houses, news agencies $63k
Exhibit Designers Career Guide Plan and create displays for museums or events Museums, event companies $59k
Fashion Designers Career Guide Apparel and accessories design Apparel houses, e-commerce $77k
Film and Video Editors Career Guide Assemble and edit video footage Film studios, media companies $62k
Floral Designers Career Guide Create floral arrangements for events Florist shops, event planners $34k
Graphic Designers Career Guide Create visual designs for print and digital media Marketing agencies, corporate design teams $57k
Interior Designers Career Guide Plan and furnish interior spaces Design studios, architecture firms $61k
Interpreters and Translators Career Guide Convert spoken or written content between languages Translation agencies, government $52k
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers Career Guide Arrange displays to attract customers Retail stores, visual merchandising firms $32k
Music Arrangers and Orchestrators Career Guide Adapt and arrange music for performances Orchestras, recording studios $55k
Music Directors Career Guide Lead musical ensembles and productions Orchestras, theaters $60k**
Painters and Illustrators Career Guide Create original artwork and illustrations Galleries, publishers $48k
Professional Photographers Career Guide Capture and edit professional photographs Studios, media companies $44k
Program Directors Career Guide Oversee scheduling and content for media programs Broadcast networks, radio stations $74k
Public Address System and Other Announcers Career Guide Deliver announcements at events or venues Event organizers, sports arenas $35k
Public Relations Specialists Career Guide Manage public image and media relations PR firms, corporations $67k
Radio and Television Announcers Career Guide Present news, music, and commentary Radio stations, TV channels $45k
Reporters and Correspondents Career Guide Investigate and deliver news stories News agencies, broadcasters $49k
Scientific Photographers Career Guide Capture images for research and documentation Research labs, scientific publishers $55k
Sculptors Career Guide Create three-dimensional artworks Museums, galleries $47k
Set Designers Career Guide Design and build sets for productions Theaters, film studios $59k
Singers Career Guide Perform vocal music live or recorded Music labels, live venues $45k**
Sound Engineering Technicians Career Guide Manage and operate sound recording equipment Recording studios, broadcasters $55k
Talent Directors Career Guide Select and manage performers for productions Casting agencies, production companies $64k
Technical Directors and Technical Managers Career Guide Oversee technical aspects of productions TV stations, theaters $78k
Technical Writers Career Guide Create manuals, guides, and documentation Software firms, manufacturing companies $74k
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Career Guide Officiate sports events and enforce rules Sports leagues, schools $39k


*2023 BLS median.
**Gig income varies widely; top symphony musicians earn $100k+.

Key Skill Sets

  1. Visual Literacy -     Interpreting form, color, layout.
  2. Narrative Thinking -     Storytelling through imagery or words (think of painting a picture).
  3. Digital Fluency -     Adobe CC, CAD, Blender, or Figma.
  4. Stakeholder Translation - Turning client briefs into deliverables.
  5. Portfolio Discipline     - Projects that prove talent faster than a résumé (show not tell).

Education & Pathways

  1. Bachelor’s Degree     still standard for design, animation, industrial design.
  2. Certificates/Bootcamps for UX/UI, motion graphics, CAD.
  3. Apprenticeship/Guild     models remain for floral design, fine art fabrication.
  4. Self-Publishing     platforms allow writers, musicians, and photographers to bypass gatekeepers but require marketing savvy.

Employment Outlook

Demand is strong where creativity meet stech, UX, motion graphics, 3D modeling for AR/VR. Traditional print-only paths are shrinking but evolving into brand-strategy and content roles.

Readyto Confirm Your Fit?

Arts & Design careers reward passion,but motivation alignment is crucialfor long-term satisfaction. Take Assessment.com’s Free MAPP Career Assessment to see if your core drivers,innovation, aesthetic precision, independent work, match the realities of these roles.

How to use this library

This career library is your one-stop resource for exploring a wide range of professions. Start by browsing the categories to discover roles that match your interests. For each role, review details like salary, job outlook, and education requirements to compare options. Use the MAPP assessment to get a personalized list of career matches tailored to your strengths. Bookmark careers that catch your eye so you can revisit them later. Share your saved list with a teacher, parent, or mentor to discuss your next steps. Whether you’re just starting out or considering a career change, this library will guide you toward informed choices.

  • Browse a career category to explore roles.

  • Scan salary & outlook to compare options.

  • Take MAPP for a personalized match list.

  • Bookmark favorites and share with a coach, parent, or mentor.

Ready for a shortcut?

Get your personalized career matches in minutes with the free MAPP career assessment.

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