High Demand Careers for Creatives in 2021: 15 Dream Jobs That Actually Pay [Updated]
Want a creative career with financial security and good job prospects? Here’s a list of 15 creative jobs that can fulfil you – and pay the bills.
Do you crave a job where you can create every day? If you’re a bit like me, then you need a job that allows you be creative, but the thought of financial insecurity gives you pause.
So, how can you be creative and successful?
Creative Careers in Australia
We have a persistent myth in our society: that to live a creative life, you’ll live poor and die with a falafel in your hand.
You may be surprised to learn that, in Australia:
- Creative jobs are, on average, paid 24% more than those in other industries.
- Job growth in the creative sector is almost double that of other occupations.
- The average salary in the Creative Design industry is $60,675.
- Top-earning Australian creative directors are paid $150,000 per annum.
Additionally, most jobs in the creative industries are support roles, like account managers and project managers, rather than core creative roles. This can pose a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the industry you love, while saving your creative energies for a personal artistic practice outside of work.
While most creative industries tend to be concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne, the strong increase in remote working means that more creative jobs are accessible for people living in, say, regional QLD or Perth.
Ready to feel excited about the creative possibilities for your career, and empowered to choose a fulfilling path? Below is a list of creative jobs that will flex your creativity and bring in a good income.
What are The Highest Paying Creative Jobs?
What Are Some Creative Careers?
Click the links to jump to:
1. Interior Designer
Qualification: Professional Interior Design Course
Interior Design Job Description
Interior Designers are plan, design and specify details for building interiors. This can range from the construction of commercial and industrial spaces, to retail and residential spaces.
What Does an Interior Designer Do?
Read more about interior design careers.
Job Growth
Very Strong
[ $43 – $75k ]
Typical Interior Design Salary Australia
source
Skills You Will Use
Technical Design
Customer Service
Building & construction
English language
sales and marketing
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
2. Beauty Therapist
Qualification: Diploma of Beauty Therapy
Beauty Therapist Job Description
Beauty Therapists perform a variety of beauty treatments on clients, involving, but not limited to skincare, body treatments, nail care, spa therapy and aromatherapy. Beauty Therapists may also perform some administrative duties such as greeting clients and taking bookings.
What Does a Beauty Therapist Do?
Job Growth
Very Strong
[ $31k – $63k ]
Typical Beauty Therapist Hourly Rate Australia
source
Skills You Will Use
Serving others
active listening
Judgment and decision making
Reading comprehension
Speaking
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
3. Event Planner
Qualification: Certificate in Event Management
Event Planner Job Description
Event Planners are employed by clients to organise and coordinate services for a wide range of events, which include conferences, functions such as birthdays and weddings, industry events and general seminars.
What Does an Event Planner Do?
Skills You Will Use
Planning and organising
Negotiation and conflict resolution
Building & construction
English language
sales and marketing
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
How a Kate and Dave Started a Thriving Event Styling & Rentals Business
A husband and wife power duo launched Good Day Club in 2014 to pursue a passion in events, styling and most importantly: vintage furniture.
4. Graphic Designer
Qualification: Graphic Design Diploma
Graphic Designer Job Description
Graphic or Creative Designers create visual concepts to convey notions through informing and inspiring, and in turn capturing the attention of consumers. Graphic Design can be done freelance, in-house, or as part of an agency.
What Does a Graphic Designer Do?
Skills You Will Use
Communications and media
design
fine arts
computers & technology
english language
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
5. Copywriter
Qualification: Certificate IV in Marketing
Copywriter Job Description
Copywriters work with clients to produce writing to influence, inform, and connect with an audience. They work in advertising and marketing, primarily, with a range of styles – from creative copy for branding, descriptive content for e-commerce, SEO focused text for websites, research-based reports, guides, and whitepapers, and many other forms in between. They can work permanently in-house at one company, or as part of a creative agency working with ever-changing clients and projects. Many copywriters also become freelancers after a few years, where they can increase their earning power and call their own shots.
What Does a Copywriter Do?
Skills You Will Use
English language
Marketing
communications and media
Customer and personal service
technology
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
6. Photographer
Qualification: Diploma of Photography
Photographer Job Description
A photographer is essentially an artist with a camera. Photographers utilise a combination of technical skills and creative flair to take photographs of just about anything. The majority of photographers are self-employed freelancers, although a small portion work in-house at publications, or for a creative agency. From weddings, people and places, to landscapes and nature, the possibilities are really endless with the photography industry.
What Does a Photographer Do?
Job Growth
Strong
[ $42k – $83k ]
Typical Photographer Salary Australia
source
An overwhelming majority of photographers are self-employed – salaried full-time roles are rare.
Skills You Will Use
Customer service
Sales and marketing
fine arts
using technical photography gear
english language
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
Stina’s Path to Professional Photography
Stina changed careers and started her own business as a photographer. She shares what it’s been like for her to take the plunge.
An Insider Look Into Social Media Marketing with Michelle
Stina changed careers and started her own business as a photographer. She shares what it’s been like for her to take the plunge.
8. Creative Director / Art Director
Qualification: Bachelor of Design Arts
Creative Director Job Description
A creative director (sometimes referred to as an art director) is a senior level creative strategist, and is one of the most high paying creative roles. Creative Directors, working either in-house or with an agency, lead a creative team in developing and executing creative work. The type of work varies depending on what field they work in, such as graphic design, advertising, copywriting, media and more. Most creative directors have, at the least, a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant creative arts field. They usually also have several years of previous experience in a creative job, and experience in managing people and projects.
What Does a Creative Director Do?
Job Growth
Very Strong
[ $61k – $158k ]
Typical Creative Director Salary Australia
source
Skills You Will Use
Thinking creatively
Keeping knowledge up to date
relationship building
Planning and prioritising work
communicating with the public
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
Helen’s Career Journey: From Designer to Creative Director of a Design Studio
Helen shares the most valuable lessons learned from 30 years experience in the graphic design industry running her own studio – and gives her top tips to emerging designers.
9. Animator / Motion Designer
Qualification: Diploma of Digital Media Technologies
Animator Job Description
Animators create visual communications that move for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, games, marketing, advertising and other communications. They will often collaborate with other animators, as well as producers and clients, take direction from a lead animator or creative director, and work to tight deadlines.
What Does an Animator Do?
Job Growth
Strong
[ $40 – $75k ]
Typical Animator Salary Australia
source
Many animators and motion designers work freelance.
Skills You Will Use
design techniques & tools
visual media production
fine arts
computers & technology
english language
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
10. Content Manager
Qualification: Diploma of Digital Marketing
Content Manager Job Description
Content marketing is a growing field within digital marketing that combines creative and journalistic writing with marketing and business disciplines. Unlike traditional marketing of directly promoting a brand, or even its products and services, content marketing involves creating and sharing online educational content. Content marketers produce articles, videos, newsletters, reports, infographics, apps, games, quizzes, and even in-person experiences. As a content marketing manager, you’ll develop and run content campaigns, plan and supervise the work of individual content producers, measure results with key metrics and present them to your supervisors.
What Does a Content Manager Do?
Job Growth
Very Strong
[ $53k – $96k ]
Typical Content Manager Salary Australia
source
Skills You Will Use
Digital Marketing
reading & writing
customer service
Administration & management
data analysis
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
A Content Marketing Manager Shares: What’s Your Job Actually Like?
Explore what it’s really like to be a content marketing manager with an industry insider, and discover what skills you’ll need to succeed.
11. User Experience (UX) Designer
Qualification: User Experience Design Course
UX Designer Job Description
UX is a relatively new field that blends psychology and design. User experience designers improve the way people interact with a product or service, usually a technology product such as software or hardware. They do this by observing people’s behaviour when using a product, conducting research, and analysing the result. Working in teams with other designers, analysts and developers, UX designers use the insights gained to make changes to the product aimed at improving the user’s experience. Once changes have been made, UX designers will test again to see if the experience has truly improved – it is a cyclical process which improves with every iteration.
What Does a UX Designer Do?
Job Growth
Very Strong
[ $51 – $108k ]
Typical UX Designer Salary Australia
source
Some UX Designers work freelance.
Skills You Will Use
Design Software & tools
interaction design
user research
adobe suite
UI (User Interface) Design
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
15. UI Designer / Web Designer
Qualification: UX Design Courses and Web Design Courses
UI Designer Job Description
UI designers create user interfaces, in the form of websites, apps, and software. They develop the graphic look and feel of an interface, designing and testing for optimal user experience. UI designers need a keen eye for detail and the patience to methodically identify and solve problems. The best UI designers are both creative and technically minded, with a keen interest in human behaviour and a sense of empathy for the users they are designing for.
What Does a Web Designer Do?
Job Growth
Strong
[ $51 – $98k ]
Typical UI Designer Salary Australia
(inc bonuses)
source
Skills You Will Use
Computers and devices
graphic design
communication
Web design
Clerical & office work
Is It Right For You?
What It’s Like to be a UI Designer: An Expert Shares 5 Things You’ll Want to Know
We spoke to UI designer Sarah Ballock about the unique challenges and rewards of being a UI designer — and what kind of person will thrive in this fascinating, creative career.
Entry Level Jobs
12. Video Game Designer
Qualification: Certificate IV in Digital and Interactive Games
Video Game Designer Job Description
Video game designers work across a broad range of areas in creating games. The job title ‘video game designer’ can refer to a few different kinds of roles, depending on the studio. It can refer to a level designer, where you design individual levels. It can also refer to a video game developer, who writes the code, tests bugs, and does software development work on the game. Sometimes, a video game designer refers to the creative director for a game, where you work with a team to develop the art direction for an entire game, including the concept, story, gameplay, characters, and setting. This is a senior leadership role that requires experience in both designing and development.
What Does a Video Game Designer Do?
Job Growth
Strong
[ $40k – $102k ]
Typical Video Game Designer Salary Australia
source
Skills You Will Use
Game Engines
Documentation & administration
design
user experience
programming
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
13. Fashion Designer
Qualification: Bachelor of Design Arts (Fashion & Costume Design)
Fashion Designer Job Description
Fashion designers come up with new apparel designs, develop products for the fashion market, and oversee production methods. They identify and respond to trends in different contexts, draw illustrations or sketches for a new product, present their ideas to clients or management for approval. When it has been signed off on, the designer will then construct prototypes and samples, often with the help of assistants, and hand the design over to a manufacturer with specifications for fabric and production methods.
What Does a Fashion Designer Do?
Job Growth
Very Strong
[ $44 – $90k ]
Typical Fashion Designer Salary Australia
source
Skills You Will Use
Technical design
English Language
Administration and management
production and processing
sales and marketing
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
14. Industrial Designer
Qualification: Diploma of Design
Industrial Designer Job Description
Industrial designers conceptualise, design and produce manufactured products, such as furniture, cars, electronics, toys and appliances. They prototype new products for commercial, industrial and consumer use, on a small or mass-production scale. These designs are then sent to factories for production. When designing, they consider how humans will interact with the product, as well as how to make the manufacture in a way that is efficient, sustainable and cost-effective.
What Does a Industrial Designer Do?
Job Growth
Very Strong
[ $45k – $86k ]
Typical Industiral Designer Salary Australia
source
Skills You Will Use
technical design
engineering technologies
mechanical
computers & devices
product manufacturing processes
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs
How Do I Start a Creative Career?
Study a course
Some roles require a high level of qualification, such as a three year Bachelor degree or postgraduate degree. But micro-credentials and short courses tailored to a specific skill are on the rise and gaining industry recognition. They can be a great way to fast-track your studies.
Get some work experience while studying
Many courses have in-built industry placements. If this is an option, take full advantage of it. Many times, you will be able to gain part-time employment in the company after your placement finishes, which can transition into a full-time role when you graduate. And if not, then it will give you a much better chance of scoring your first job quickly.
Build a portfolio
Once you get out of your course, you will probably want to focus on building a portfolio for a couple of months (if you don’t already have full-time work lined up). What this looks like in reality is working part time (or full time) to pay the bills, and in your spare time, taking on some volunteer projects. Some good ideas are approaching nonprofits or local businesses and offering them a free service. Let them know that this is a portfolio piece, so you’ll be putting a lot of effort into making it the best it can be – but also that you will have a high degree of creative control. You can then add these finished projects, along with your best work from the course, into a portfolio. Instagram can serve as a good portfolio; you can also look into creating a website to showcase your work. Tip: If you have to ask, “should this be in my portfolio?” then take it out. Your portfolio represents you, and should only contain pieces that you back one hundred percent.
Apply for jobs
With your portfolio and resume in tow, apply for the kinds of entry-level jobs you’re interested in. Be persistent, and research the company beforehand. Be sure to read up on the best way to present your resume and cover letter for job applications!
Keep learning
The future of education is lifelong, flexible and modular – meaning gone are the days when you got qualified, went to work, and that was that. The creative industries are always changing, and staying up to date is a necessity if you want to stay employed. Keep updating your skillset with books and short courses – it’s an investment that pays dividends again and again.
Not only can a creative career be fulfilling, it can also be a lucrative choice – especially if you focus on the complementary business skills that can propel you to stand out success. We’ve seen that you don’t always have to make a choice between doing what you love and making a good living.
Further Reading
If you’re curious about what it’s like to have a career that blends art and work, here’s a list of top-recommended books on the topic.
- Real Artists Have Day Jobs (And Other Awesome Things They Don’t Teach You in School) by Sara Benincasa
- Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide To Working Your Creative Magic By Lisa Congdon
- The Creative Habit: Learn It And Use It For Life by Twyla Tharp
- Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living by Manjula Martin
- Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
- Creative Confidence: Unleashing The Creative Potential Within Us All by Tom Kelley & David Kelley
- Mind Your Business: A Workbook To Grow Your Creative Passion Into A Full-time Gig by Ilana Griffo
Creative career caught your eye?
Discover your training options and design the career of your choice.
Courses found:
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Our Certificate in Zoology is designed to give you all the skills you need to work effectively and safely with animals. It focuses on both the practical and theoretical skills and knowledge you’ll need to increase your value to employers and your impac...
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When you do this certificate, you’ll learn how to better understand the difference between crops and how to improve your growing capacity. The course will allow you to learn from leading Australian and international agricultural experts how to manage a...
Wedding Planning and Event Management Certificate
Have you always of dreamed of planning the ultimate, perfect wedding day? Do you love the thrill and excitement of planning, organising and executing events? Are you always on Pinterest and Instagram, finding inspiration for weddings, events and event...
Cat Care and Training Certificate
Are you a cat lover? Are you passionate about caring for cats? Do you dream of working with felines? Do you want to better understand their behaviour and why they do what they do? Then this course is for you. Designed to develop your knowledge, underst...
Animal Care Certificate
Do you love animals and dream of working with them? Want to learn how to manage animal health for pets, wildlife or farm animals? Do you aspire to work in the pet care industry or with wildlife? Or are you a pet-owner who simply wants to learn how you...
Dog and Pet Grooming Certificate
Are you passionate about caring for dogs? Have you always dreamed of starting your own pet grooming business, but not sure how? Do you love the idea of working with dogs (and other pets) and want to learn more about how best to care for them? Then this...
Livestock Management Certificate
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Life Coaching, Health and Wellbeing Certificate
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This qualification reflects the role of early childhood educators who are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum in early childhood education and care services. It is the qualification for those wishing to lead an education and care prog...
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Accounts Administration & Payroll Certificate Plus Xero & MYOB
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7. Social Media Manager
Qualification: Diploma of Social Media Marketing
Social Media Manager Job Description
Social Media managers work with the broader digital marketing team, crafting a social media strategy that aligns with an organization’s goals. The Social Media Manager has the final say in which platforms are best suited, and what kind of creative content and copy the team will make. They produce social media content, keep an eye on trends, analyse data and create reports, and manage content creation activities across their team.
What Does a Social Media Manager Do?
Job Growth
Strong
[ $45 – $83k ]
Typical Social Media Manager Salary Australia
source
Skills You Will Use
English language
Communications and media
Administration and management
Sales and marketing
customer service
Is It Right For You?
Entry Level Jobs