The current work uses data from the 1980 census to investigate what artists actually earn as well as the pattern that these earnings follow over the life-cycle.... It represents by far the most comprehensive examination to date of the actual economic position of artists. (p. 2)

The picture that emerges from the current research is that while creative and performing artists do have lower incomes than comparable workers, the field is a far cry from an economic disaster area. Indeed, the labor market seems to be performing quite well for artists. On average, artists earn slightly over $600 less than workers in general. The difference grows substantially when adjusted for the levels of various productive (and other individual characteristics. An upper bound on estimates of this differential may be as high as $3200, some 27 percent of annual earnings. (p. 21)

CONTENTS
I. Introduction.
II. Data and sample characteristics.
III. Age/Earnings profiles.
IV. Standardization of personal attributes.
V. Summary and conclusions. References.

The current work uses data from the 1980 census to investigate what artists actually earn as well as the pattern that these earnings follow over the life-cycle.... It represents by far the most comprehensive examination to date of the actual economic position of artists.