San Francisco Arts Jobs Overview
The potential for boundless creativity is the main reason people go into the arts. They become composers to create beautiful musical scores for theatrical productions; special effects artists and set decorators to build immersive environments and enchant movie-goers; fashion designers to transform fabrics into wondrously wearable garments; comic-book writers and graphic novelists to transport readers into imaginary realms; or visual stylists to ornament merchandise displays in department stores. But all throughout—they pursue arts jobs to unabashedly realize their creative dreams.
Are you a star-gazing idealist or someone who relentlessly scours their mind's eye to materialize their vision? Do you believe that creative goals are achievable through talent and hard work? Then you may want to consider a career in the arts, which encompasses a vast mixture of roles—from art directors and art therapists to writers, dance instructors, and gallerists. Tech savviness will give you an advantage if you want to work in film, television, digital media, and video games, but arts jobs are still available across more traditional industries, including print publishing, manufacturing, and good ol' brick-and-mortar shops.
You can expand your search for art jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in San Francisco, California
San Francisco lays claim to many food firsts. The country's first craft brewery was founded there. An alcoholic coffee served at an Irish airport was recreated and dubbed "Irish coffee" at the Buena Vista Café. Add to that the Mission-style burrito and the martini. Despite this, not all San Francisco jobs are in the food industry. Jobs in San Francisco banking have a long, successful history, too. While financial institutions throughout the U.S. were hit hard by the Great Depression, San Francisco's Bank of America was able to finance building the Golden Gate Bridge, creating hundreds of jobs in San Francisco for ironworkers. Sitting on the bridge girders watching the mist roll in may have sparked the idea for vodka made from San Francisco Bay fog.
If that doesn't tempt you to look for San Francisco jobs, we could also talk about the city's famous Ghirardelli chocolate, local coffee, cable cars, and Victorian homes. If you want to relocate a little further from the fog but still enjoy the taste of San Francisco, you might look at Daly City, South San Francisco, and Oakland.
Update Your San Francisco Arts Resume
Arts jobs allow for plenty of opportunities to be creative—and that can be reflected on your resume too. So don't be afraid to add stylistic elements that pop—along with some off-kilter typography—to stand out from the crowd. Make sure your descriptions are vivid enough to paint a moving picture with purposeful, declarative sentences. Set aside a section that clearly delineates all the skills, tools, and practical knowledge that may be useful in the position you're applying to. And compile a portfolio that provides a vibrant snapshot of your creations so far.
How Much Do Arts Jobs Pay in San Francisco, California?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in arts jobs in San Francisco, California, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median artist/ illustrator pay in San Francisco is $30.10 per hour, which is 33% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next San Francisco Arts Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in arts? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those arts jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in San Francisco, how to nail your job interview, and more.