How Much Do Cartoonists Make?

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Cartoonists, like other creative professionals, earn varying amounts depending on several factors, including their level of experience, the medium they work in, the type of cartoons they create, and the markets they serve. Understanding how much cartoonists make requires looking at different categories of cartoonists, including editorial cartoonists, comic strip artists, graphic novelists, and webcomic creators. Let’s dive into how much cartoonists can earn across different platforms and contexts.

1. Editorial Cartoonists

Editorial cartoonists create cartoons that comment on current events, politics, and social issues. These cartoons are often published in newspapers, magazines, or online outlets. The salary of an editorial cartoonist can vary significantly depending on their prominence, the publication they work for, and the country in which they are based.

  • Freelance Editorial Cartoonists: Freelance cartoonists typically charge by the hour or per cartoon. Rates can range from $100 to $1,000 per cartoon, depending on the complexity and the client's budget. Well-known cartoonists can command much higher fees for their work. For example, prominent cartoonists for major newspapers may earn several thousand dollars per cartoon.

  • Staff Editorial Cartoonists: Staff positions in larger media outlets, like The New York Times or The Washington Post, tend to pay a regular salary. Salaries for staff editorial cartoonists in the U.S. can range from $50,000 to $100,000 per year, with the possibility of higher pay for those who have built up a significant reputation over time.

2. Comic Strip Artists

Comic strips, such as those seen in newspapers, are a popular form of entertainment and storytelling. Comic strip cartoonists can make a decent living depending on how widely their strips are syndicated.

  • Syndicated Comic Strips: Popular comic strip artists like those who create Peanuts or Family Circus can earn a significant income, especially if their work is widely syndicated. These artists may earn between $10,000 to $25,000 per year per newspaper that publishes their strip. The more syndications a cartoonist has, the higher their earnings.

  • Self-Syndicated or Independent Comic Strips: Cartoonists who publish their strips independently may make less initially, especially if they are just starting out. However, they can monetize their work through other means, like creating merchandise, books, or digital content. The income from these sources can be variable but may eventually reach a substantial level for popular strips.

3. Webcomic Creators

Webcomics have exploded in popularity in the last decade, and many cartoonists now publish their work exclusively online. The earnings for webcomic creators can vary greatly depending on their audience size, engagement, and monetization strategies.

  • Ad Revenue: Some webcomic creators make money by displaying ads on their websites or through platforms like Google AdSense. The revenue from ads depends on the number of visitors a site gets. A popular webcomic site with millions of views can earn anywhere from $500 to $10,000 per month in ad revenue. However, smaller webcomics might only earn a few hundred dollars per month.

  • Crowdfunding: Many webcomic creators use platforms like Patreon to generate steady income. Through crowdfunding, creators can earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month depending on the number of patrons and the subscription levels. Successful webcomic creators can earn between $2,000 to $10,000 per month on Patreon or other crowdfunding sites.

  • Merchandising and Sales: Webcomic artists can also make money by selling merchandise such as t-shirts, prints, books, or other items featuring their characters or artwork. Profits from merchandise can vary greatly depending on the size of the audience. Some webcomic artists may make thousands of dollars annually from merchandise sales alone.

4. Graphic Novelists and Comic Book Artists

Graphic novels and comic books are another avenue for cartoonists to make a living. These works are often more complex and take longer to create, so the pay can vary depending on the publisher and the project's scale.

  • Freelance Graphic Novelists: Freelance comic book artists and graphic novelists typically earn between $150 to $300 per page for mainstream comic books. If an artist is working on a graphic novel, they might receive a flat advance payment, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the publisher and the project's scope. The artist may also receive royalties from book sales once the work is published.

  • Established Artists: Well-known comic book artists like those who work for Marvel or DC Comics can make a significant living, with some earning hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, depending on the contracts they have and the success of their projects.

5. Animation Artists

Cartoonists who transition into animation also have various opportunities to make money. Many animators work for major studios, while others freelance or create their own independent projects.

  • Animation Studios: For full-time positions at large studios like Disney or Pixar, animators can earn a salary ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on their role and experience. Senior animators at top-tier studios can earn much higher salaries, sometimes exceeding $150,000 per year.

  • Freelance Animators: Freelance animators typically charge $30 to $100 per hour for their work. Freelance rates vary widely depending on the complexity of the project and the animator's reputation. Many animators supplement their income by selling animated content on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

6. Educational and Corporate Work

Some cartoonists find steady work in educational publishing or corporate marketing. Many educational publishers use cartoonists to create engaging content for textbooks, learning materials, or instructional videos. Corporate marketing teams also often hire cartoonists to create branded content, including advertisements, explainer videos, or social media graphics.

  • Corporate and Educational Cartoonists: These cartoonists may earn anywhere from $40,000 to $75,000 per year, depending on the employer and the nature of the work. Freelancers in this field might charge $100 to $500 per project.

7. Miscellaneous Revenue Streams

Cartoonists often find additional ways to monetize their art. Some ways to earn include:

  • Workshops and Lectures: Many cartoonists supplement their income by conducting workshops, offering online courses, or speaking at conventions.

  • Book Deals: A successful cartoonist may be offered a book deal to publish a compilation of their work or to create a new graphic novel.

  • Print Sales: Some cartoonists sell limited edition prints of their artwork. These can range from $50 to $500 per print, depending on the artist's popularity and the quality of the print.

Final Thoughts

In summary, cartoonists can make anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars a year, depending on their niche, the platforms they use, and their level of recognition in the industry. While emerging creators may need to supplement their income with other jobs, successful and well-established cartoonists can build lucrative careers that span various mediums—from comic strips and webcomics to animated works and graphic novels.

As platforms like Cartoonist Network grow, providing monetization options and greater exposure for artists, cartoonists have more opportunities to earn from their craft, whether through direct sales, crowdfunding, or other innovative revenue streams.

Arifur Rahman er en bangladeshi-norsk illustratør, tegneserieskaper og avistegner. Han er utgiver av det nettbasert tegnemagasinet Toons Mag, og organiserer internasjonale tegnekonkurranser og utstillinger i Norge og utlandet.

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