Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers — Average Employee Salary
The average employee in the independent artists, writers, and performers industry earns $151,858 per year ($73.01/hour), according to Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW data.
What Do Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers Workers Earn?
At $151,858/year (equivalent to $73.01/hour for a full-time worker), independent artists, writers, and performers wages are significantly above the national average of ~$65,000.
Higher wages in this industry typically reflect specialized skills, professional certifications, or technical expertise required for the work. Employers competing for talent in this space face elevated labor costs.
The typical independent artists, writers, and performers business employs 2 people. Most operations are small — often owner-operated with a handful of staff. Labor costs are manageable relative to revenue.
Wages as a Percentage of Revenue
For the average independent artists, writers, and performers business generating $695K/year with 2 employees at $151,858 each, total payroll represents roughly 43.7% of revenue. Labor is a significant cost but leaves room for other expenses and profit.
What This Means for Business Owners
If you're starting or running a independent artists, writers, and performersbusiness, here's what the wage data means for your bottom line:
- Per-employee cost: Budget approximately $197,415/year per employee (salary + ~30% for benefits, taxes, and insurance).
- Typical team size: 2 employees = ~$303,716/year in base payroll.
- Hourly equivalent: $73.01/hour base — factor this into pricing and project estimates.
- Revenue needed: With average revenue of $695K/business, you need strong utilization rates to maintain healthy margins after payroll.
See how these wages compare to total revenue and profit margins.
View full Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers revenue benchmarks →Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do independent artists, writers, and performers employees make?
- The average independent artists, writers, and performers employee earns $151,858 per year, which is equivalent to $73.01/hour for a full-time worker (2,080 hours/year). This is above the national average of approximately $65,000.
- How many people work in the independent artists, writers, and performers industry?
- The independent artists, writers, and performers industry employs 59,575 workers across 39,010 establishments in the United States. The average business in this industry has approximately 2 employees.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW 2023).