Creative
Design, art, writing, film, music and the stage.
27 careers
Design
4AnimatorYou make drawings and models move, frame by frame, for films, series and games.Typical pay$65kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandLimitedFashion DesignerYou design clothing and accessories, then work with pattern makers and factories to get them made.Typical pay$65kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandLimitedGraphic DesignerLogos, websites, packaging, apps. A portfolio matters more than a diploma.Typical pay$65kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandModerateIllustratorYou draw for a living: books, games, magazines, packaging. The portfolio decides everything.Typical pay$65kTo qualifyup to 4 yrsDemandLimited
Art and craft
2Ceramic ArtistYou throw, hand-build, glaze and fire clay, and sell the results at markets, shops and galleries.Typical pay$42kTo qualifyup to 3 yrsDemandModerateVisual ArtistYou make paintings, sculpture, photographs or installations and sell them through galleries, commissions and grants.Typical pay$62kTo qualifyup to 4 yrsDemandLimited
Writing and media
7AuthorYou write books and long pieces for a living, usually alongside other writing work that pays the bills.Typical pay$77kTo qualifyup to 4 yrsDemandModerateBroadcasterHost, announce and present on radio, television and podcasts. Small pay at the start, big pay if you get known.Typical pay$58kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandLimitedCopywriterWrite the words that sell things: ads, websites, emails, packaging, scripts.Typical pay$77kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandModerateEditorYou take someone else's writing and make it clear, correct and fit for its reader.Typical pay$72kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandModerateJournalistYou find out what happened, check it, and tell people clearly and fast.Typical pay$77kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandLimitedTechnical WriterYou explain complicated products clearly: help pages, manuals, procedures and developer guides.Typical pay$75kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandLimitedTranslator and InterpreterMove meaning between languages, in writing or out loud, without adding or losing anything.Typical pay$71kTo qualify4 to 6 yrsDemandModerate
Film, TV and music
9Broadcast TechnicianKeep TV, radio and live streams on the air. Cameras, audio, transmitters and the gear nobody sees.Typical pay$77kTo qualify2 to 3 yrsDemandModerateCamera OperatorRun the camera on film, television, live sport and news. Heavy gear, long days, union rates.Typical pay$76kTo qualify2 to 6 yrsDemandModerateComposerWrite music for film, TV, games, ads and the concert stage. No licence, no gatekeeper, and very little money at the start.Typical pay$36kTo qualify4 to 8 yrsDemandLimitedFilm DirectorDecide what every shot, performance and cut is trying to say, then get a hundred people to deliver it.Typical pay$85kTo qualify4 to 10 yrsDemandModerateFilm ProducerFind the story, find the money, hire the people, and carry the risk from first meeting to final delivery.Typical pay$85kTo qualify3 to 8 yrsDemandModerateMusicianPlay or sing for money. Almost everyone does it by stacking gigs, teaching and session work together.Typical pay$33kTo qualify2 to 10 yrsDemandLimitedPhotographerWeddings, portraits, products, news, sport. Most photographers run a small business, not a job.Typical pay$50kTo qualifyup to 4 yrsDemandModerateSound EngineerRecord, mix and repair sound for music, film, games and live shows. One year of training, then years of ears.Typical pay$68kTo qualify1 to 3 yrsDemandModerateVideo EditorCut raw footage into something that holds attention. The last person who gets to decide what the story is.Typical pay$72kTo qualify2 to 4 yrsDemandGood
Performing
3ActorFilm, TV, theatre, voice and commercials. Good money per day of work, and most people do not get many days.Typical pay$50kTo qualifyup to 4 yrsDemandLimitedChoreographerMake the movement other people perform. Almost everyone in this job danced first.Typical pay$85kTo qualify4 to 10 yrsDemandModerateDancerBallet, contemporary, musicals, commercial work. The training starts as a child and the career ends early.Typical pay$69kTo qualifyup to 4 yrsDemandLimited