Cartoonist Careers Information
Cartoonists write and illustrate the cartoons we see everyday in newspapers and magazines. These cartoons may be part of an advertisement, be meant to entertain us, or make a political statement. Some cartoonist careers involve writers who craft the dialogue and help with the storyline while others complete all aspects of comic creation by themselves. In either case, a cartoonist must be skilled not only in illustration, but also be sensitive to the requirements of a good story and have a sense of humor.
- American Intercontinental University: Online
Art Institutes: The Art Institute of Atlanta
Cartoonist Careers Path
Many cartoonists have had training in the fine arts, perhaps having earned a Bachelor’s or even Master’s degree. Much more important, however, is a cartoonist’s proven skill. A strong portfolio of work as well as a history of publication, including in school and independent publications, is often required by potential employers.
Cartoonist Careers Compatible Personality Traits
Creative, storyteller, sense of humor, political awareness, self-directed, able to meet deadlines.
Cartoonist Interview
Ready to put down the doodles and start a cartoonist career? Read More from a Cartoonist…
Cartoonist Salary Expectations
As a type of illustrator, cartoonists who are employed by a company for a salary average $42,650 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $29,230 and $60,650. Many cartoonists, however, work independently. Yearly income can vary greatly for these freelancers. Those cartoonists with experience and a popular comic series may command a greater income, especially if they are able to license their work in other formats (books, movies, advertising).
Cartoonist Careers Job Outlook
With the circulation of traditional print media on the decline, both budgets and section sizes are shrinking. Because of this, the available space for the work of cartoonists, either in comic strips, political cartoons, or advertisements, is becoming less and less. This makes it more difficult for new talent to break into the business. Cartoonists who are able to sell their work to online publications are the best off, especially those able to take advantage of the new multi-media formats a website can offer.
As a form of illustrators, cartoonist job opportunities are projected to grow by 9% by 2018, which is slightly less than the average for most careers.
Slightly off the Footpath
- Children’s Book Illustrator
- Artist
- Graphic Design
- Illustrator
- Photographer
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos092.htm (visited November 3, 2011).
