| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites. |
Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs ![]()
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 426 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
25,900U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
30,400
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
4,500 (17.3%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
3,300
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Create sketches, profiles, or likenesses of posed subjects or photographs, using any combination of freehand drawing, mechanical assembly kits, and computer imaging. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Develop project budgets for approval, estimating time lines and material costs. |
| Importance: 53 (%) | Description: Cut, bend, laminate, arrange, and fasten individual or mixed raw and manufactured materials and products to form works of art. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Submit artwork to shows or galleries. |
| Importance: 51 (%) | Description: Shade and fill in sketch outlines and backgrounds, using a variety of media such as water colors, markers, and transparent washes, labeling designated colors when necessary. |
| Importance: 51 (%) | Description: Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages. |
| Importance: 48 (%) | Description: Trace drawings onto clear acetate for painting or coloring, or trace them with ink to make final copies. |
| Importance: 47 (%) | Description: Create sculptures, statues, and other three-dimensional artwork by using abrasives and tools to shape, carve, and fabricate materials such as clay, stone, wood, or metal. |
| Importance: 46 (%) | Description: Collaborate with writers who create ideas, stories, or captions that are combined with artists' work. |
| Importance: 45 (%) | Description: Frame and mat artwork for display or sale. |
| Importance: 44 (%) | Description: Teach artistic techniques to children or adults. |
| Importance: 43 (%) | Description: Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials. |
| Importance: 40 (%) | Description: Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials. |
| Importance: 36 (%) | Description: Brush or spray protective or decorative finishes on completed background panels, informational legends, exhibit accessories, or finished paintings. |
| Importance: 35 (%) | Description: Apply solvents and cleaning agents to clean surfaces of paintings, and to remove accretions, discolorations, and deteriorated varnish. |
| Importance: 32 (%) | Description: Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations. |
| Importance: 27 (%) | Description: Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects. |
| Importance: 26 (%) | Description: Provide entertainment at special events by performing activities such as drawing cartoons. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Apply finishes to artwork, crafts, or displays. | |
| Apply paint to surfaces. | |
| Arrange artwork, products, or props. | |
| Build models, patterns, or templates. | |
| Clean objects. | |
| Clean surfaces in preparation for work activities. | |
| Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions. | |
| Collaborate with others to prepare or perform artistic productions. | |
| Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work. | |
| Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes. | |
| Coordinate logistics for productions or events. | |
| Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes. | |
| Draw detailed or technical illustrations. | |
| Entertain public with comedic or dramatic performances. | |
| Estimate costs for projects or productions. | |
| Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions. | |
| Maintain records, documents, or other files. | |
| Monitor current trends. | |
| Operate still or video cameras or related equipment. | |
| Perform marketing activities. | |
| Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display. | |
| Present work to clients for approval. | |
| Research new technologies. | |
| Send information, materials or documentation. | |
| Teach classes in area of specialization. | |
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: 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. |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Apply decorative finishes. |
| Activity: Apply protective solutions or coatings. |
| Activity: Arrange displays or decorations. |
| Activity: Assemble products or work aids. |
| Activity: Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas. |
| Activity: Clean workpieces, finished products, or other objects. |
| Activity: Communicate with others about specifications or project details. |
| Activity: Create artistic designs or performances. |
| Activity: Create decorative objects or parts of objects. |
| Activity: Create visual designs or displays. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Estimate project development or operational costs. |
| Activity: Explain technical details of products or services. |
| Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Monitor external affairs, trends, or events. |
| Activity: Operate audiovisual or related equipment. |
| Activity: Prepare industrial materials for processing or use. |
| Activity: Present arts or entertainment performances. |
| Activity: Process shipments or mail. |
| Activity: Promote products, services, or programs. |
| Activity: Research technology designs or applications. |
| Activity: Teach academic or vocational subjects. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||||||||||
| Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop | |||||||||||||
| Widely Used Tech Skills | |||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||||||||||
| Autodesk Maya | |||||||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||||||||||
| Accounting software: | |||||||||||||
| Intuit QuickBooks | |||||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | |||||||||||||
| Autodesk AutoCAD Trimble SketchUp Pro | |||||||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | |||||||||||||
| Adobe InDesign | |||||||||||||
| Document management software: | |||||||||||||
| Adobe Acrobat | |||||||||||||
| Enterprise application integration software: | |||||||||||||
| Extensible markup language XML | |||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||||||||||
| Adobe Creative Cloud software | |||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||||||
| C# C++ Python | |||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||||||||||
| Presentation software: | |||||||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||||||||||
| Video creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||
| Adobe After Effects | |||||||||||||
| Web page creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||
| Web platform development software: | |||||||||||||
| Hypertext markup language HTML JavaScript | |||||||||||||
| Word processing software: | |||||||||||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||||||||||
| General Software Tools | |||||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | |||||||||||||
| Autodesk 3D Studio Design Dassault Systemes CATIA | |||||||||||||
| Configuration management software: | |||||||||||||
| Perforce Helix software | |||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||||||
| ArtScope.net eArtist Camp Software Art Licensing Manager FileMaker Bento GYST | |||||||||||||
| Desktop communications software: | |||||||||||||
| ClassDojo | |||||||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | |||||||||||||
| Adobe FrameMaker | |||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | |||||||||||||
| Adobe ActionScript Unity Technologies Unity Unreal Technology Unreal Engine | |||||||||||||
| Document management software: | |||||||||||||
| Code Line Art Files | |||||||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||||||||||
| Email software | |||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Instant messaging software: | |||||||||||||
| GroupMe | |||||||||||||
| Internet browser software: | |||||||||||||
| Web browser software | |||||||||||||
| Point of sale POS software: | |||||||||||||
| Credit card processing software | |||||||||||||
| Project management software: | |||||||||||||
| WorkingArtist Systems WorkingArtist | |||||||||||||
| Web page creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||
| Adobe Dreamweaver |
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
| These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants. |
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 37.0 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 35.1 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 27.3 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 27.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 22.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 18.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 18.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 12.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Certified Medical Illustrator | |
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) | |
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Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) | |
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Center for Book Arts (CBA) | |
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College Art Association (CAA) | |
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Society of Decorative Painters (SDP) | |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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