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Best States for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations: Highest-paid Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations by State

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    Carter A
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Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations encompass a wide range of creative and technical fields, including fine artists, graphic designers, actors, athletes, and journalists. These professionals contribute to cultural expression, storytelling, and entertainment, and often work in collaborative environments to produce innovative and engaging experiences for audiences.

This article will explore the best states for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.

Key Takeaways

  • The highest-paid arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $109,130 per year.
  • The lowest-paid arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations are in Guam, where they earn an average of $42,520 per year.
  • The U.S. average salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations is $62,931 per year.

1. District of Columbia ($109,130)

District of Columbia Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in District of Columbia earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in District of Columbia is $109,130, which is +73% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$109,130
10th Percentile$52,380
25th Percentile$68,610
75th Percentile$126,620
90th Percentile$174,990

2. California ($107,330)

California Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in California earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in California is $107,330, which is +71% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$107,330
10th Percentile$35,500
25th Percentile$47,410
75th Percentile$118,920
90th Percentile$169,000

3. New York ($96,370)

New York Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in New York earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in New York is $96,370, which is +53% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$96,370
10th Percentile$38,080
25th Percentile$51,580
75th Percentile$113,750
90th Percentile$174,990

4. Massachusetts ($84,840)

Massachusetts Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Massachusetts earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in Massachusetts is $84,840, which is +35% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$84,840
10th Percentile$36,580
25th Percentile$48,000
75th Percentile$95,180
90th Percentile$131,230

5. New Jersey ($80,660)

New Jersey Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in New Jersey earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in New Jersey is $80,660, which is +28% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$80,660
10th Percentile$36,020
25th Percentile$47,150
75th Percentile$98,800
90th Percentile$132,860

6. Rhode Island ($77,480)

Rhode Island Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Rhode Island earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in Rhode Island is $77,480, which is +23% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$77,480
10th Percentile$33,990
25th Percentile$47,830
75th Percentile$89,040
90th Percentile$121,010

7. Washington ($77,390)

Washington Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Washington earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in Washington is $77,390, which is +23% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$77,390
10th Percentile$35,950
25th Percentile$45,790
75th Percentile$89,980
90th Percentile$120,000

8. Connecticut ($77,150)

Connecticut Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Connecticut earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in Connecticut is $77,150, which is +23% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$77,150
10th Percentile$34,280
25th Percentile$42,280
75th Percentile$90,150
90th Percentile$129,920

9. Louisiana ($74,480)

Louisiana Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Louisiana earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in Louisiana is $74,480, which is +18% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$74,480
10th Percentile$23,000
25th Percentile$30,310
75th Percentile$64,710
90th Percentile$96,380

10. Oregon ($73,200)

Oregon Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Oregon earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations in Oregon is $73,200, which is +16% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$73,200
10th Percentile$32,580
25th Percentile$40,250
75th Percentile$81,410
90th Percentile$113,730

Conclusion

The highest-paid arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $109,130 per year. The lowest-paid arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations are in Guam, where they earn an average of $42,520 per year. The U.S. average salary for arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations is $62,931 per year and there are 2,072,670 jobs in the field.