Illustrator | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Illustrators produce drawings, paintings or diagrams for use in products like books and greetings cards, or on packaging.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
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.
Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other

Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
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.
Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
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.
Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
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.
Set up exhibitions of artwork for display or sale.
Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
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.
Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
Submit artwork to shows or galleries.
Submit preliminary or finished artwork or project plans to clients for approval, incorporating changes as necessary.
Study styles, techniques, colors, textures, and materials used in works undergoing restoration to ensure consistency during the restoration process.
Collaborate with engineers, mechanics, and other technical experts as necessary to build and install creations.
Cut, bend, laminate, arrange, and fasten individual or mixed raw and manufactured materials and products to form works of art.
Develop project budgets for approval, estimating time lines and material costs.
Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
Create finished art work as decoration, or to elucidate or substitute for spoken or written messages.
Create sketches, profiles, or likenesses of posed subjects or photographs, using any combination of freehand drawing, mechanical assembly kits, and computer imaging.
Trace drawings onto clear acetate for painting or coloring, or trace them with ink to make final copies.
Apply solvents and cleaning agents to clean surfaces of paintings, and to remove accretions, discolorations, and deteriorated varnish.
Collaborate with writers who create ideas, stories, or captions that are combined with artists' work.
Brush or spray protective or decorative finishes on completed background panels, informational legends, exhibit accessories, or finished paintings.
Teach artistic techniques to children or adults.

Average salary
37,585 GBP *
per year

Average salary for Illustrator

Big gender gap

41,279 GBP
31,048 GBP

Average salary for part-time Illustrator

Average salary for full-time Illustrator

Showing:

13,081 GBP
11,320 GBP

37,585 GBP
31,048 GBP
41,279 GBP

Salary over time for Illustrator

Salary for this role has increased over time

35,611 GBP
33,492 GBP
33,900 GBP
34,433 GBP
37,224 GBP
36,978 GBP
37,585 GBP
40,162 GBP
39,673 GBP

Ads

Future outlook for Illustrators

Balanced outlook

71 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

1% yearly wage growth (on average)

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Illustrator and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

% of people in this role have a certificate of higher education or equivalent but no degree
% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree
% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent

You could market your work by contacting companies directly. You can find advice about getting started as a freelance illustrator, how to prepare a portfolio, lists of publishers, and other useful information in The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook.

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
design skills and knowledge
knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
thinking and reasoning skills
the ability to use your initiative
active listening skills
the ability to work well with your hands
to be flexible and open to change
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Illustrator

Graphic Design

Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Initiative Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Not sure if you are in the right job?

Take our career change quiz

Illustrator | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

Similar Courses

Art and Design (Graphic Communications) A Level

Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing

Graphic Design Diploma With Adobe ACA

Enhancing Graphic Design with AI in Photoshop

Introduction to Graphic Design Level 1 (Award)

Become a Graphic Designer Level 2 (Award)

Graphics Design & Desktop Publishing Course

Adobe Illustrator CC Essentials: Getting Started with Graphic Design

Graphics Design - Level 2 (Certificate)

Future outlook for Illustrators

Illustrator - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

Things to highlight for your Illustrator interview

Related jobs

Graphic Design

Graphic designer

Graphic Design

Signmaker

Graphic Design

Signwriter