The average salary for an art therapist in the United States is around $61,960 per year.
Avg Salary
Art therapists earn an average yearly salary of $61,960.
Wages typically start from $40,990 and go up to $100,420.
2% below national average Updated in 2025
Art therapist earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level art therapist earnings begin at:
$48.28 per hour
$100,420 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level art therapist earnings begin at:
$38.43 per hour
$79,930 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level art therapist earnings begin at:
$29.79 per hour
$61,960 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level art therapist earnings begin at:
$24.16 per hour
$50,240 per year
10th percentile
Starting level art therapist earnings begin at:
$19.71 per hour
$40,990 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Art therapist salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,170 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 |
| Nevada | $78,730 |
| Washington | $77,860 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 |
| Colorado | $66,580 |
| Oregon | $66,530 |
| New York | $65,520 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 |
| Maryland | $64,300 |
| Vermont | $63,380 |
| Connecticut | $63,240 |
| Nebraska | $62,980 |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 |
| Arizona | $62,610 |
| Texas | $62,490 |
| Michigan | $61,700 |
| Virginia | $61,270 |
| Ohio | $60,770 |
| New Jersey | $60,400 |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 |
| Kentucky | $59,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 |
| Missouri | $58,620 |
| North Dakota | $58,370 |
| Florida | $57,980 |
| Maine | $57,560 |
| Alabama | $57,360 |
| Utah | $56,640 |
| Iowa | $56,140 |
| Illinois | $54,910 |
| Indiana | $53,770 |
| Georgia | $52,010 |
| Tennessee | $51,910 |
| Louisiana | $51,150 |
| Delaware | $51,110 |
| Montana | $51,110 |
| North Carolina | $51,030 |
| Oklahoma | $50,480 |
| Idaho | $49,720 |
| New Mexico | $49,210 |
| West Virginia | $49,010 |
| South Carolina | $48,880 |
| Wyoming | $48,170 |
| Rhode Island | $47,870 |
| South Dakota | $46,850 |
| Arkansas | $42,670 |
| Kansas | $40,010 |
| Mississippi | $39,560 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,360 |
How do art therapist salaries compare to similar careers?
Art therapists earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than painters but more than mental health counselors.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Painter salary | $55K |
| Healthcare social worker salary | $68K |
| Occupational therapy assistant salary | $72K |
| Graphic designer salary | $63K |
| Substance abuse social worker salary | $60K |
| Art therapist salary | $62K |
| Recreational therapist salary | $62K |
| Athletic trainer salary | $63K |
| Hearing aid specialist salary | $65K |
| Mental health counselor salary | $59K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)