What is the salary of a botanical illustrator?

Answer 1

The salary is generally low, despite the skill, talent, and scientific knowledge required by the job. I've heard it described by one notable and well-published botanical illustrator (with a PhD in botany no less), as paying roughly a secretary's salary. There are few salaried positions in the field, generally at major museums of natural history. An illustrator with one of those positions may make a comfortable income, but most botanical illustrators are self-employed and diversify into other branches of scientific illustration (entomological, ichthyological, etc.) to land more work. Some scientific illustrators who combine great skill and business savvy are able to earn >80K/year after subtracting the expenses of running their business, but newcomers to the field should expect some lean years (<25K/year) while building their client base.

Despite periods struggling for projects, most botanical and scientific illustrators love their work, and feel their greatest compensation comes from expanding and aiding scientific research and education, and doing what they love for a living.