5136-NOC

Painters, sculptors and other visual artists

(NOC 53122)
Annual Earnings
$77,751
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
1,540

Career Overview

Painters, sculptors and other visual artists:

  • Create original paintings, drawings, sculptures, engravings and other artistic works
  • Are usually self-employed

This group also includes art instructors and teachers, who are usually employed by art schools.

Duties

Painters:

  • Create drawings, paintings and other artwork using oils, pastels, watercolours, charcoal, ink and other media

Sculptors:

  • Create sculptures, statues and other three-dimensional artwork by shaping, carving and working with materials such as clay, ice, paper, stone, wood or metal

Art instructors and teachers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Teach students the techniques and methods of drawing, painting, sculpting and other forms of artistic expression

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$77,751

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$43.31/hr
Median$37.28/hr
Low$20.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

3,545

% Employed Full Time

27%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work takes place in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings that include various weather and temperature conditions
  • Working with machinery, instruments or power tools may be a source of injur
  • Flying particles in the workplace may also pose a risk of injury
  • Non-poisonous airborne particles such as textile dust, flour, sand, sawdust and feathers may also be present
  • The workplace may contain strong or toxic odours

 

Career Pathways

Career path information is currently not available.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Artistic
Artistic

Job Titles

Art teacher (except primary, secondary and post-secondary education)
Artist
Artistic painter
Portrait painter
Sculptor
Silkscreen artist
Watercolourist

Education, Training and Skills

  • Creative ability and talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, and knowledge of the safe use of materials, tools and equipment are required. Art programs are offered at universities, colleges and private art schools
  • A college diploma in fine arts techniques may be required
  • Art instructors and teachers may be required to have a university degree or college diploma in a field related to art

 

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Animation, Commercial Art & Illustration
  • Visual Arts
  • Metal and Jewellery Arts
  • Fibre, Textile and Weaving Arts
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

56%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

56%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

53%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

50%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

50%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

50%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

47%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

47%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

47%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

47%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

3,545
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 55 1.6%
Kootenay 125 3.5%
Mainland/Southwest 2,055 58.0%
North Coast and Nechako 40 1.1%
Northeast 15 0.4%
Thompson-Okanagan 305 8.6%
Vancouver Island/Coast 945 26.7%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

1,540
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 20 0.5%
Kootenay 40 1.4%
Mainland/Southwest 840 0.9%
North Coast and Nechako 10 0.4%
Northeast 0 -0.9%
Thompson-Okanagan 200 1.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 430 0.9%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Information, Culture And Recreation1,100
Educational Services210
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services80
Retail Trade60
Repair, Personal And Non-Profit Services20
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.