How Much Money Does a Syndicated Cartoonist Make?
Becoming a syndicated cartoonist takes a lot of effort due to the amount of competition involved. In the Information Age, more people keep up with current events by accessing the Internet, rather than reading the newspaper. This cuts down the opportunities available for cartoonists to see their work published in major publications. However, the cartoon has been around for centuries and is likely to remain a popular art form.
Other People Are Reading
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History of Cartooning
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While drawing itself has been around from the beginning of humanity, cartooning is a relatively young art form. First described as "caricatures," the cartoon consists of any humorous or satirical drawing. The word "cartoon" itself comes from the Italian "cartone," which means "Strong, heavy paper; pasteboard." The first successful comic strip debuted in 1895 in "New York World," and was called "Down in Hogan's Alley." This cartoon, featuring a character called "The Yellow Kid" who was bald and wore his yellow costume with a toothy smile, had a large following.
Syndication
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A cartoon syndicate determines which cartoons it will sell to publications. The competition is fierce since many more cartoonists are looking for syndication than there are newspapers accepting new comic strips. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect data on cartoonists specifically, an article by Kathleen Green published in its Fall 2008 "Occupational Outlook Quarterly" estimated 250 syndicated cartoonists were working in the United States.
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Salaries
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Using the data collected by the BLS for artists in general, a syndicated cartoonist can probably expect to make between $30,000 and $80,000 per year, depending on length of time in the industry and the popularity of his comic strip. The more publications that publish a cartoonist's work, the more money the cartoonist makes. Kathleen Green cites "industry sources" that beginning earnings for cartoonists are around $30,000, with established cartoonists making "significantly more."
Alternatives
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Print media has declined in popularity since the advent of the Internet. On the other hand, the Internet has opened up a new world of prospects for cartoonists. Email newsletters, online magazines, news websites and other Internet-based opportunities are available for the enterprising cartoonist to sell her work. Popular cartoonists increase their income by selling such items as cartoon books, greeting cards, and coffee mugs, Green notes. Local newspapers and magazines may also provide opportunities to showcase cartoon art. So, while most people will never get rich as syndicated cartoonists, they can make a living with their art if they put enough thought and effort into it.
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