N.B. Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Animator

• Starting salaries are around £20,000 a year.
• With experience and skills, earnings are usually around £30,000 to £40,000 a year.
• You may also earn a bonus at the end of a project, particularly in the computer games industry.
• Freelance animators are usually paid a fee for each contract or project.  Rates can vary based on your track record and the type of production.  Contact the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) for current pay guidelines.

Actor

• A recent survey of Equity members found that nearly half of people in the UK performance industry had earned less than £6,000 from the profession in the previous year.  Only 6% earned more than £30,000 from acting.
• There is no set income for actors.  Most are self-employed, and are paid a fee for each contract or performance.
• Contact Equity for details of minimum income rates for members.

Textile designer

• Newly-qualified designers earn around £15,000.
• Experienced textile designers can earn £25,000 upwards.
• Income for textile designers varies depending on the type of employer.
• Freelance designers may charge per design or per collection and rates vary widely.

Jewellery designer/maker

• Starting salaries can be up to £15,000 a year.
• Experienced jewellery designers can earn between £20,000 and around £50,000.
• Earnings for freelance designer/craftworkers vary depending on how successful they are in selling their work.

Museum curator

• New entrants can start on around £16,000 a year.
• With experience, earnings can rise to more than £20,000.
• Senior curators can earn between £27,000 and £36,000.

Classical musician

• Full-time rank and file players with orchestras may earn between £22,000 and £28,000 a year.
• Principal players may earn £25,000 to £38,000.
• See the ISM and Musicians' Union websites for recommended rates of pay for freelance performances.

Advertising account executive

• Starting salaries are around £18,000 to £24,000 a year.
• With experience, this typically rises to between £30,000 and £45,000.
• Top salaries can reach £90,000 a year.

Data sourced from the Learndirect online job profiles.