Medical Illustrator Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

When many people think about the science and procedures behind sophisticated medical care, they very rarely think about art or illustrations. But the truth is that in order to train doctors, surgeons, nurses and medical assistants about how to perform certain procedures, it is necessary to allow them to study accurate and detailed illustrations of parts of the human anatomy and medical instruments. Medical illustrators are the professionals responsible for recreating these graphics in forms that are easily distributed and examined by medical care givers in training. Medical illustrators are vital to the world of medical education and the development of new treatments and tools. These individuals must have a strong working knowledge of the human anatomy, and the ability to learn complex medical concepts and procedures.

Salary Outlook

It is important to note that the type of employing agency and the experience of the medical illustrator have a big impact on the potential salary that is earned

Average Annual Salary
$42,300
Salary Range
$33,100 - $60,000

Work Environment

Because they are so closely related to the learning process for young medical professionals, medical illustrators are often employed by large research hospitals or teaching colleges. It is also not uncommon for these artists to work on their own, and contract out their services to medical textbook publishers, teaching hospitals or other medical facilities.

High School Preparation

Those students that think they would be able to combine their love of art and the sciences in a successful career as a medical illustrator should spend their high school careers becoming knowledgeable about the medical field and different forms of artistic expression, including digital design programs. Supporting programs include art, biology, anatomy, chemistry, drawing and design, graphic arts, photography, and computer illustration.

Requirements

Following high school graduation, many students will become aware that there are few programs available at the college level for medical illustration training. The best undergraduate programs will be the ones where students can choose to take courses both in the pre-medical major and the art or illustration major. Upon graduation from a program of this type, it will become necessary to enter one of the few post-graduate programs available for advanced training as a medical illustrator. These programs are very competitive, so good marks and a demonstration of talent for art is essential for success.

Career Outlook

As the demand for health care provider’s increases, experts predict that the demand for talented, well educated medical illustrators will also increase. This will be caused by the demand for updated textbooks and educational resources that can be used to train doctors, nurses, medical assistants and other people employed in the medical field.

Professional Organizations

Association of Medical Illustrators
P.O. Box 1897
Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: (785) 843-1235
www.ami.org