10 High-Paying Arts Stream Jobs

The arts stream offers a diverse curriculum that opens many unique paths available to arts stream students leaving secondary school. Explore some of the top career opportunities for arts stream students, learn how much they typically pay, and learn about any other requirements you may need to meet to get the job.  

What is the arts stream?

Before entering your senior secondary years, you must choose between three streams of study: science, commerce, and arts. Your choice not only determines what you’ll learn during classes 11 and 12 but also puts you on a path that will eventually lead to various career opportunities. So, choosing the stream that will prepare you for the job you want to pursue is essential. 

Arts stream students study visual arts, history, literature, economics, performing arts, legal studies, and political science. Because this stream covers many different areas, it allows you to explore your interests before deciding on a more defined career path. 

Skills gained by arts stream students

Wherever your interests lie, the arts stream helps you gain marketable skills that will be applicable across many industries. Perhaps that’s why the arts are also becoming popular among undergraduate students. The 2020 All India Survey on Higher Education found that more undergraduate students (32.7 percent) enrolled in arts, humanities, or social sciences courses than any other subjects [1].

A few of the skills you can expect to gain include: 

• Writing and communication skills

• Creativity

• Critical thinking

• Analytical thinking

• Intrapersonal skills

• Decision-making

• Foreign languages 

• Self-understanding and confidence 

• Cooperation and teamwork

• Analytical thinking

High-paying arts stream jobs 

*All annual salary information is sourced from Talent.com as of July 2024.

1. Lawyer

Average annual IN salary: ₹4,35,000

Requirements: Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB), Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Legislative Law (BBA + LLB), or Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Legislative Law (BCom + LLB); pass All India Bar Examination (AIBE)

Lawyers provide their clients with legal advice and represent them in litigation. They also research legal matters, interpret laws and rulings, draft legal documents, mediate disputes, and gather evidence in preparation for trials. As a lawyer, your role and responsibilities vary based on the type of law you practice. For example, a corporate lawyer ensures the legality of a company’s business activities. 

In 2022, India Today reported that the country’s backlog of legal cases and shortage of lawyers will likely create a high demand for these professionals for the foreseeable future, making it a promising career choice [2].

Three common lawyer interview questions: 

• Describe your legal research skills.

• What attributes would you want clients to know about you?

• What do you think about the most recent XYZ ruling?

2. Digital marketing strategist

Average annual IN salary: ₹6,00,000

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and certifications often preferred; knowledge of analytics

A digital marketing strategist oversees a company’s online marketing campaigns at every stage, from design to implementation. You must understand data analytics, have good communication management skills, and have a creative approach. As a digital marketer, you may handle email marketing, brand awareness initiatives, and how a company interacts with customers on social media platforms. You'll also also seek ways to improve web traffic and customer experience. Once a marketing campaign runs, you will track its performance to ensure its effectiveness. 

Statista reported that, in 2021, digital marketing made up 29 percent of all advertising and marketing spending in India, predicting that this number would increase to 55 percent by 2025 based on the growth in the field seen since 2016 [3]. Based on this upward trend, job prospects for digital marketing strategists will likely grow over the coming years. 

Three common digital marketing strategist interview questions: 

• How would you use keywords to enhance site ranking?

• Why is search engine optimisation important? 

• What are some popular digital marketing tools?

3. Fashion designer 

Average annual IN salary: ₹4,00,000

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or PG diploma in fashion design, fashion technology, textile design, or related field 

Fashion designers create clothes, accessories, costumes, and footwear. You might be self-employed, wherein you'll market, manufacture, and sell your designs directly to customers or retailers, or you might work for companies like wholesalers or manufacturers. To create designs, fashion designers often need to know how to use technologies like computer-aided design (CAD). Many create prototypes, so you'll need to have strong sewing skills, an understanding of how to work with different fabrics, and the ability to fit a model. You'll also need to stay current on trends by attending fashion and trade shows.

According to Statista, India’s apparel industry could grow at a CAGR of 3.81 percent between now and 2028, providing a positive job outlook for fashion designers [4].

Three common fashion designer interview questions: 

• Why do you want to become a fashion designer?

• Are you familiar with computer-aided design software?

• How do you handle constructive feedback?

4. Journalist

Average annual IN salary: ₹3,60,000

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in mass communication or journalism or a related field, such as English, political science, or creative writing; master’s degree or PG diploma in mass communication or journalism might be helpful

A journalist is a writer who researches and completes pieces for various outlets such as newspapers, websites, television, magazines, and radio. Many choose to specialise in a specific topic, such as sports, business, politics, lifestyle, or the arts. Others specialise in the media they write for. For example, a broadcast journalist writes for television and radio, but a digital journalist writes for news sites and other online sources. A long-form journalist writes longer articles that take more time to investigate and go into greater depth than the typical news piece. 

According to Invest India, the country’s media and entertainment sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10–12 percent by 2026 [5], so journalists will likely enjoy a positive job outlook over the next few years. 

Three common journalist interview questions:

• What style guides are you familiar with?

• How do you verify your information?

• Which journalists do you admire?

5. Hotel manager 

Average annual IN salary: ₹5,40,000

Requirements: A diploma in hotel management, a Bachelor of Hotel Management, or a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management and Hospitality; a PG diploma in hotel management, a Master of Business Administration in Hotel Management; and certifications might be helpful.

A hotel manager is responsible for every detail of a hotel’s operations. In this role, you might hire and manage staff members, supervise guest services, coordinate with vendors and maintenance providers, handle the hotel’s finances, and promote the business. Since these professionals have so many duties, time management should be one of your essential skills. 

In 2022, the World Travel and Tourism Council projected that India’s travel and tourism sector would grow at a CAGR of 7.8 percent over the next decade, making the industry a good choice for students preparing to enter the workforce [6]. 

Three common hotel manager interview questions:

• How would you resolve problems or calm an unsatisfied guest?

• How would you build a positive working environment for your staff?

• What is the best way to prioritise maintenance tasks? 

6. Animator 

Average annual IN salary: ₹3,86,250

Requirements: Diploma in Animation and Multimedia, Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Science in Animation, or Bachelor of Fine Arts; consider a Master of Design or Master of Science in Animation. 

An animator uses computer-based sequencing techniques to create the illusion that still images are in motion. You might work in film, television, advertising, or gaming. The growth of the gaming industry is one reason animators are in high demand. You have several career opportunities within the field to explore. For example, you might work as a background artist, a character artist, a 3D modeller, a motion graphics artist, or a compositing artist. 

Animators' job outlook is promising due to the projected growth of the media and entertainment sector [5].

Three common animator interview questions:

• What software are you familiar with?

• How do you stay informed of new trends in animation?

• How do you create a storyboard? 

7. Graphic designer 

Average annual IN salary: ₹4,20,000 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design; consider a Master of Design in Graphic Design or PG diploma in graphic design

Often working alongside writers and other content creators, a graphic designer produces visuals communicating ideas. You'll either work by hand or with graphic design software, and you might use a combination of text, images, and illustrations. Your work is used in marketing campaigns, informational brochures, promotional materials, and business reports. You're responsible for meeting a client’s needs by developing the best strategy for effectively communicating their message to a given audience.

Graphic designers work across many sectors, including several experiencing steady yearly growth rates, such as media and entertainment and mobile manufacturing and communications [5, 7].

Three common graphic designer interview questions:

• How do you handle constructive feedback?

• Are you comfortable working on a deadline?

• What are the major graphic design principles?

8. Photographer 

Average annual IN salary: ₹3,00,000

Requirements: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography or related degree (especially if you want to work abroad), PG diploma in a specialised area such as fashion, wildlife, or sports photography, and certifications might be beneficial. 

A photographer might take portraits or document special events such as weddings or conventions. You might also produce fine art or photographs that serve a commercial purpose, such as for advertising, fashion, or real estate. A photojournalist uses their work to report on news topics, often in collaboration with writers. Most photographers edit their work using software; some also develop and print their images. Many work as freelancers, but some work for publications.

Photographers working in the wedding industry are seeking job security. In 2022, the executive vice president of sales & marketing of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) estimated that this industry was worth 3.78 lakh crore and could grow 20 to 25 percent annually [8]. 

Three common photographer interview questions:

• What is your go-to equipment?

• Which photographers have influenced your work?

• What kind of training have you had?

9. Government employee

Average annual IN salary: ₹7,33,333

Requirements: Sit for the appropriate selection exam, such as the National Recruitment Agency’s Common Entrance Test for non-gazetted government jobs

Arts stream students often seek employment in government jobs that are both fulfilling and high-paying, such as a position with the Railway Recruitment Board, a department within the Ministry of Railways that oversees human resources, or a position such as a stenographer. The government connects prospective stenographers with various ministries, organisations, and departments annually. The government also offers a National Defense Academy exam that provides candidates with a path to entering military service. 

Last year, the Prime Minister announced an initiative to create 10 lakh jobs in the central government over 18 months [9]. Initiatives like this may help increase the job prospects of anyone interested in securing a government position. 

Three common government employee interview questions: 

• Why do you want to work for the government?

• Would you be comfortable working with concerned citizens?

• Name your strengths and weaknesses.

10. Event planner 

Average annual IN salary: ₹3,25,000

Requirements: A bachelor of Business Administration in Event Management, a PG Diploma in Event Management, or a Master of Business Administration in Event Management might be helpful. 

An event planner makes all the necessary arrangements for a successful event. This often involves location scouting and building a network of caterers, speakers, and entertainers. Different events require different planning aspects, so many event planners focus on a single type of event. Wedding planners are the most well-known, but you could also become a corporate event planner, fundraiser coordinator, or party planner.

Mordor Intelligence’s latest market analysis found that India’s event and exhibition industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.31 percent between 2024 and 2029, when it’s projected to be valued at over 5.23 billion USD [10]. Thus, the job outlook for event planners should remain positive over the next several years.

Three common event planner interview questions:

• What types of events do you enjoy planning most?

• How do you prioritise tasks?

• How do you handle unforeseen setbacks?

Getting started with Coursera

The possibilities regarding career opportunities available to arts stream students are quite vast. No matter which field you choose to enter, you can prepare yourself to make a good impression in an interview by taking an online course on Coursera, like Preparation for Job Interviews or Land Your Next Role.