Commercial Illustrator Salary

Average Commercial Illustrator Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$68,153 Per Year

Salary Range: $20,499 to $121,408

Commercial Illustrator Salary

$20,499

10%

$37,177

25% 

$ 68,153

AVERAGE

$93,347

75%  

$121,408

90%  

How Much Does a Commercial Illustrator Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Commercial Illustrator is $68,153 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $68,153 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

Autodesk AutoCAD – Computer aided design CAD software

Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat – Document management software

Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop – Graphics or photo imaging software

Facebook – Web page creation and editing software

Python – Object or component oriented development software

Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign – Desktop publishing software

Intuit QuickBooks – Accounting software

Knowledge and Expertise

Design

Computers and Electronics

Production and Processing

Fine Arts

Education and Training

Communications and Media

Soft Skills

Critical Thinking

Active Learning

Active Listening

Reading Comprehension

Speaking

Judgment and Decision Making

What is the salary range of a Commercial Illustrator?

Commercial Illustrator salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $68,153 but a Commercial Illustrator can earn a base salary anywhere from $20,499 to $121,408 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Commercial Illustrator job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for a Commercial Illustrator?

The highest Commercial Illustrator salaries in the top 10% earn more than $121,408 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $93,347 and $121,408 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for a Commercial Illustrator?

The lowest Commercial Illustrator salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $20,499 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $20,499 and $37,177 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for a Commercial Illustrator?

If we only look at the data for Commercial Illustrator salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Commercial Illustrator job would be over $68,153 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Commercial Illustrator would be anything over the top 75%, which is $93,347 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Commercial Illustrator?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Commercial Illustrator. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for a Commercial Illustrator?

The top paying industries for a Commercial Illustrator job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
  • Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
  • Educational Services
  • Finance and Insurance

Does a Commercial Illustrator Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Commercial Illustrator would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Commercial Illustrator, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does a Commercial Illustrator make good money?

 In general, a Commercial Illustrator can make a good salary. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is less than the average Commercial Illustrator salary, meaning most earn a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Commercial Illustrator pay is above the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 121,408 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 20,499 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Commercial Illustrator, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Commercial Illustrator will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as a Commercial Illustrator?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for a Commercial Illustrator in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as a Commercial Illustrator is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of a Commercial Illustrator?

The money a Commercial Illustrator can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much a Commercial Illustrator earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.