Self-employed creatives
How many creatives are self-employed in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts had 49,726 creative businesses with no employees in 2024, across seven creative industries in Census Nonemployer Statistics. That is 2.3% of the US total, 15th of the 50 states and DC. 28,312 of them were independent artists, writers and performers.
- 49,726creative nonemployer businesses, 2024
- 2.3%of the US total
- $33,255average receipts per business
- 15th of 51the 50 states and DC, by count
Which kinds of creative work do the self-employed in Massachusetts do?
Massachusetts's mix of creative work is close to the national one; no group's share is more than 15% above its US share.
| Independent artists, writers and performers | 28,312 | 56.9% | 52% | 12th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photographers | 4,992 | 10% | 11.4% | 16th |
| Specialised design | 6,355 | 12.8% | 13.3% | 15th |
| Film and video | 2,326 | 4.7% | 6.2% | 16th |
| Sound recording | 900 | 1.8% | 2.1% | 15th |
| Performing arts companies | 2,515 | 5.1% | 4.8% | 13th |
| Advertising and PR | 4,326 | 8.7% | 10.3% | 16th |
Independent artists, writers and performers, and photographers, are exactly those industries. The other five are the narrowest groups Census publishes that contain the creative work, so they include some non-creative businesses.
How much do self-employed creatives in Massachusetts take in?
Together they reported $1.65 billion in receipts, an average of $33,255 per business, below the US average of $37,340. Advertising and PR average the most, $62,471 each. Receipts are takings before costs, not profit.
| Independent artists, writers and performers | $677 million | $23,911 |
|---|---|---|
| Photographers | $168.2 million | $33,689 |
| Specialised design | $362 million | $56,961 |
| Film and video | $90 million | $38,710 |
| Sound recording | $24.4 million | $27,110 |
| Performing arts companies | $61.8 million | $24,586 |
| Advertising and PR | $270.3 million | $62,471 |
How does Massachusetts compare with its neighbours?
New York has more; the rest have fewer.
| Connecticut | 24,879 | 12,915 | $42,339 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 9,587 | 5,255 | $34,017 |
| New York | 194,888 | 110,871 | $46,700 |
| Rhode Island | 7,968 | 4,537 | $30,255 |
| Vermont | 6,376 | 4,023 | $26,241 |
Questions
How many self-employed artists and writers are there in Massachusetts?
28,312 businesses with no employees were classed as independent artists, writers and performers in Massachusetts in 2024 (Census Nonemployer Statistics, NAICS 711510). They reported $677 million in receipts.
How many self-employed photographers are there in Massachusetts?
4,992 photography businesses with no employees in 2024.
What counts as a nonemployer business?
A business with no paid employees, at least $1,000 a year in receipts, that files federal income tax: mostly sole proprietors. A side business counts the same as a full-time one.
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Where do these numbers come from?
U.S. Census Bureau, Nonemployer Statistics, 2024 state files (the latest year published), all legal forms.
n = 49,726 businesses in Massachusetts. Last updated 2 October 2026.
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Other states
- California 328,340
- New York 194,888
- Texas 164,192
- Florida 156,918
- Illinois 73,202
- Georgia 72,540
- Pennsylvania 68,386
- North Carolina 62,151
- New Jersey 59,537
- Ohio 57,974
- Tennessee 55,922
- Michigan 53,335
- Virginia 50,034
- Washington 49,873
- Colorado 49,632