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How much do self-employed artists, writers and performers make?

Independent artists, writers and performers. Census data for 2024. Figures are revenue before costs, not income.

Artist sketching on a large sheet of paper at a wooden table with paints, brushes and a palette

Businesses

1,115,783

Revenue per firm

$32,015

Under $25,000

76.3%

Sole proprietors

95.9%

Census code 7115, "Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers", covers freelance artists, authors, journalists, musicians, actors and other performers working for themselves.

In 2024, 1,115,783 US businesses with no paid employees were classified under this code. Between them they reported $35.7 billion in revenue, an average of $32,015 per firm, 45% below the $58,194 average for all businesses with no employees.

What stands out

54.6% of these businesses took in less than $10,000 in 2024, against 37.3% of all nonemployers: the second-highest share on this list after couriers. 5.1% reached $100,000.

The spread between legal forms is one of the widest here. Sole proprietors, 95.9% of firms, averaged $25,078; the few set up as partnerships or corporations averaged $193,259.

The District of Columbia holds 1.9 times its national share of these businesses, Vermont 1.7 and Oregon 1.7. Among states with at least 500 firms, Mississippi holds 0.54, the lowest relative concentration.

What a typical firm brings in

The average hides a wide spread. 54.6% of firms reported under $10,000 (all industries: 37.3%), 76.3% under $25,000 (all: 60.4%) and 87.9% under $50,000. 5.1% reached $100,000 or more (all: 13.3%). The middle firm falls in the "$5,000 to $9,999" bracket.

Share of 1,115,783 US firms in each revenue bracket, 2024. Shares use the national firm total and are rounded to one decimal; a band shown as 0% can hold a small number of firms, and bands without a published count are left out. Source: Census Bureau, Nonemployer Statistics.
  • Under $5,00035.6%
  • $5,000 to $9,99919%
  • $10,000 to $24,99921.7%
  • $25,000 to $49,99911.7%
  • $50,000 to $99,9997%
  • $100,000 to $249,9993.6%
  • $250,000 to $499,9990.9%
  • $500,000 to $999,9990.4%
  • $1 million to $2.5 million0.2%
  • $2.5 million to $5 million0%
  • $5 million or more0%

How much is left after costs

The IRS Table 1 row nearest this trade, "Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries", does not match the scope of this Census category, so no matching profit figure is shown here.

How it varies by state

California has the most firms, at 170,663. Among the 51 states (including DC) with at least 500 firms, revenue per firm is highest in Delaware ($83,854) and lowest in West Virginia ($16,438). The Census assigns each business to a state by its mailing address, which may not be where the work is done. These data do not explain state differences or show take-home pay.

Alabama9,655$19,003-41%
Alaska2,574$19,743-38%
Arizona20,404$28,023-12%
Arkansas5,454$18,329-43%
California170,663$54,291+70%
Colorado25,514$22,232-31%
Connecticut12,915$28,686-10%
Delaware2,871$83,854+162%
District of Columbia4,235$30,737-4%
Florida73,770$35,889+12%
Georgia33,788$25,939-19%
Hawaii5,273$29,254-9%
Idaho5,126$21,210-34%
Illinois38,692$20,965-35%
Indiana15,455$18,871-41%
Iowa7,068$16,507-48%
Kansas7,056$18,333-43%
Kentucky9,594$20,080-37%
Louisiana11,403$26,476-17%
Maine6,512$20,862-35%
Maryland21,592$21,167-34%
Massachusetts28,312$23,911-25%
Michigan26,930$20,255-37%
Minnesota22,601$20,486-36%
Mississippi4,956$21,077-34%
Missouri16,164$19,504-39%
Montana4,429$26,116-18%
Nebraska4,498$21,354-33%
Nevada13,356$44,940+40%
New Hampshire5,255$22,598-29%
New Jersey29,775$31,426-2%
New Mexico7,653$23,696-26%
New York110,871$40,886+28%
North Carolina32,195$21,131-34%
North Dakota1,618$18,511-42%
Ohio30,057$19,504-39%
Oklahoma8,647$20,934-35%
Oregon19,514$23,474-27%
Pennsylvania37,197$22,523-30%
Rhode Island4,537$22,853-29%
South Carolina13,993$22,140-31%
South Dakota2,408$19,118-40%
Tennessee31,094$59,699+86%
Texas78,089$25,257-21%
Utah11,562$24,944-22%
Vermont4,023$21,300-33%
Virginia27,400$25,194-21%
Washington27,012$27,606-14%
West Virginia3,063$16,438-49%
Wisconsin16,983$19,074-40%
Wyoming1,977$44,110+38%

* Fewer than 500 firms, so the average is less stable. Click a column heading to sort. Receipts are modified by the Census Bureau to protect privacy.

Frequently asked questions

How much do self-employed artists, writers and performers make?

Census data for 2024 show 1,115,783 US businesses with no paid employees in this trade, reporting an average of $32,015 in revenue each. 76.3% took in under $25,000, against 60.4% of all businesses with no employees. Revenue is what the business takes in before costs, so it is not the owner's income.

Which state has the highest revenue per firm for self-employed artists, writers and performers?

Among the 51 states (including DC) with at least 500 firms, Delaware had the highest average revenue per firm, at $83,854, and West Virginia the lowest, at $16,438. States are assigned by business mailing address, and these figures do not show take-home pay.

Sources and method

Other trades