Careers · Work that centers on
Creation & expression
Designing, writing, performing, and making original work. 26 careers score highest here in O*NET's interest profile.
Show only
The colored dot shows what each career's work centers on.
| Career | Median yearly payAll workers · May 2025 | Projected growth2025–35 | Openings per yearprojected, 2025–35 | Typical education to start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musicians and singers No bachelor's needed | — | +0.3% | 17,400 | No formal educational credential |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers No bachelor's needed | $39,390 | +2.7% | 17,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Graphic designers | $62,960 | -1.7% | 16,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Art directors Strong outlook | $114,850 | +4.2% | 12,200 | Bachelor's degree |
| Producers and directors Strong outlook | $90,360 | +4.0% | 12,100 | Bachelor's degree |
| Writers and authors | $76,910 | -0.3% | 11,900 | Bachelor's degree |
| Editors | $77,920 | -1.1% | 7,900 | Bachelor's degree |
| Interior designers | $67,190 | +2.7% | 7,700 | Bachelor's degree |
| Actors No bachelor's needed | — | +0.0% | 6,300 | Some college, no degree |
| Music directors and composers | $73,710 | +1.2% | 4,200 | Bachelor's degree |
| Special effects artists and animators | $102,030 | -0.3% | 4,200 | Bachelor's degree |
| News analysts, reporters, and journalists | $62,200 | -5.9% | 3,400 | Bachelor's degree |
| Film and video editors Strong outlook | $75,420 | +3.7% | 3,100 | Bachelor's degree |
| Commercial and industrial designers | $83,910 | +2.4% | 2,800 | Bachelor's degree |
| Camera operators, television, video, and film | $74,990 | +1.3% | 2,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| Fashion designers | $80,960 | +0.1% | 2,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators | $55,490 | -2.9% | 2,200 | Bachelor's degree |
| Set and exhibit designers | $75,240 | +1.4% | 2,200 | Bachelor's degree |
| Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys | $47,340 | -7.6% | 2,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Costume attendants No bachelor's needed | $50,400 | +5.9% | 1,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Disc jockeys, except radio No bachelor's needed | — | +3.8% | 1,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Dancers No bachelor's needed | — | +2.2% | 1,600 | No formal educational credential |
| Craft artists No bachelor's needed | $46,080 | +2.0% | 1,000 | No formal educational credential |
| Models No bachelor's needed | $48,470 | -2.1% | 700 | No formal educational credential |
| Choreographers No bachelor's needed | $55,310 | +3.1% | 600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Makeup artists, theatrical and performance Strong outlook No bachelor's needed | $97,150 | +6.1% | 600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Median yearly pay is from May 2025, for all workers at every experience level: half earn more, half less. Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025 to 2035; openings include jobs that come open as people retire or change careers.