Architects: The highest paid artists
The National Endowment for the Arts has released "Artists in the Workforce: 1990-2005," a study on the impact of artists on the American economy. The report defines architects and designers as artists.

A few of the findings:

• Median income for architects: $58,000, "the highest income of all artists."
• Median income for male architects: $63,000
• Median income for female architects: $46,300
• Median age: 43
• "Architects, writers and producers show the highest education levels."
• "Women remain underrepresented in several artist occupations. Four out of five architects ... are men."
• Top 10 states for architects (per capita): Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, Vermont, Hawaii, New York, Connecticut, Oregon, Maryland and California.
• Top 10 metro areas for architects (per capita): Santa Fe, San Francisco, Boulder-Longmont, Charlottesville, Seattle, Boston, Stamford-Norwalk, Danbury, Trenton, Oakland.
• In 1990, there were 167,151 architects nationwide. By 2000, that number had jumped to 192,860. By 2005, it's estimated there were 198,498 architects. (U.S. census)

To read an executive summary or the full report, go here.