Average Art Therapist Salary - Payscale

United StatesJobArt TherapistAverage Art Therapist SalaryPayJob DetailsSkillsJob ListingsEmployersHow should I pay?Price a JobWhat am I worth?Find market worth$51,905/ yearAvg. Base Salary (USD)10%$40kMEDIAN$52k90%$71k

The average salary for an Art Therapist is $51,905 in 2026

Base Salary$40k - $71kBonus$97 - $5kProfit Sharing$10 - $2kTotal Pay$40k - $83kBased on 161 salary profiles (last updated Nov 09 2025)Is Average Art Therapist Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paidUse our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?Location:United States (change)Years in Field/Career:How it works:1Enter city & years of experience2Add pay factors like skills & education3Find your market worth with a report tailored to youEXPLORE BY:CityChicago, ILNew York, NYIndianapolis, INWashington, DCPhiladelphia, PAPittsburgh, PACleveland, OHMilwaukee, WISan Francisco, CABoston, MASee All CitiesDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »ExperienceEntry LevelEarly CareerMid CareerExperiencedLate CareerDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »SkillGroup TherapyCounselingDiagnosis and Treatment PlanningPatient CounselingCrisis InterventionProgram DevelopmentActivities for ChildrenEating DisordersClinical AssessmentClinical PsychologySee All SkillsDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »EmployerRiverside Behavioral Health CenterRAW Art WorksSee All EmployersDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »JobCertified Nurse Assistant (CNA)Case ManagerMental Health TherapistSocial WorkerLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)NannySubstance Abuse CounselorParalegalMental Health CounselorDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »

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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Art Therapists?

Entry Level▼15%Early Career▼0%Mid Career▲8%Late Career▲6%Experienced▲41%

An entry-level Art Therapist with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $44,165 based on 28 salaries. An early career Art Therapist with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $51,808 based on 102 salaries. A mid-career …Read more

What Do Art Therapists Do?

Art therapists work with patients who are encountering mental or emotional challenges; the creativity unleashed in creating art often helps patients explore their feelings and improve in many areas of their lives. Art therapists must help patients to feel achieved, possess appropriate behavior, reduce stress, and increase a general sense of well-being.

Art therapists are employed primarily in schools, hospitals, private practice, rehabilitation centers, and senior living facilities. It is very …Read more

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How do Art Therapists Rate Their Jobs?

3.8 out of 5(5)Highly Satisfied6ReviewsWe need at least 5 ratings before we can calculate a satisfaction score. Are you an Art Therapist? Take our survey to help us meet this goal.

Common Health Benefits for a Art Therapist

Medical68%Dental59%Vision46%None32%

Gender Breakdown for Art Therapists

Female97.3%Male2.7%This data is based on 37 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.

FAQs About Art Therapists

What is the highest pay for Art Therapists?

Our data indicates that the highest pay for an Art Therapist is $71k / year

What is the lowest pay for Art Therapists?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for an Art Therapist is $40k / year

How can Art Therapists increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as an Art Therapist is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are an Art Therapist that oversees more junior Art Therapists, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.

WHAT AM I WORTH?What your skills are worth in the job market is constantly changing.Job Title:Location:United States (change)