Creative Wage Report: 2020 Snapshot of Buncombe County’s Arts Economy

The 2020 Creative Wage Infographic provides a focused look at the economic conditions facing creative workers in Buncombe County during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from EMSI, QCEW, and regional wage benchmarks, the report reveals both the scale of disruption and structural wage disparities across the arts sector.

Creative industry employment peaked at 14,114 jobs in 2019—up 48% from 2010—but declined significantly in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Arts & Entertainment industries alone accounted for 61% of the sector’s total job losses. During this same period, total industry earnings dropped by more than $30 million, after having reached approximately $492 million in 2019.

Key Findings:

• Average Hourly Earnings (AHE) for creative occupations in Buncombe County were $26.28, 14% lower than the NC average and 22% lower than the U.S. average.
• Several core occupations—Craft Artists, Fine Artists, Camera Operators, and others—earned below the 2020 living wage threshold ($15.50/hour without benefits).

Racial and gender representation among creative workers in 2020:

• 83% White, 17% Non-White (7% Black, 4% Latinx)
• 51% Male, 49% Female

The report also highlights concerns around the region’s rising cost of living, with Asheville scoring 106 on the national index—the highest of any NC metro area participating in the survey.

By combining economic and demographic insights, the 2020 wage snapshot offers a powerful tool for understanding the creative sector’s vulnerabilities and recovery needs in Buncombe County. It also helps identify equity gaps that inform policy and investment strategies going forward.

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