Career Post: Political Cartoonist

Political cartoonists use their illustration skills to comment on world events, criticize political leaders, and draw attention to societal issues. Political cartoonists make heavy use of caricatures, captions, and labelling to explore their messages.

Salary: $29.5K-$76K a year, with an average of about $50K

Like with conventional cartoonists, there is no set path to becoming a political cartoonist. However, it is recommended to have a good portfolio and some formal art training, such as a bachelor's degree in art, fine art, graphic design, or visual art. Many employers are also placing a higher value on digital illustration, and many require that their cartoonists be trained with computers. It is also necessary to have a good grasp on the political and social climate of the area where you're working. Some colleges with useful programs include the School of Visual Arts, UT Austin, and Savannah College of Art and Design.