The Michelangelos of Medicine: Medical Illustrators

By:Abbey Bohnet

The Michelangelos of Medicine: Medical Illustrators

One of the most obscure professions in the medical field is medical illustration. They create visuals to help educate our doctors, nurses, PAs, CNAs, MAs, and many other health professions. As healthcare is filled with constant new findings, it’s important to keep the visuals up to date and make sure they remain as accurate as possible. An article published by Harvard Medical School explains the importance of Medical Illustrators, stating, “With the help of talented medical illustrators, courses become more easily understood, visually appealing, and more relevant to a wide variety of learners” (Harvard Medical School). These illustrations not only help students learn the material, but also allow physicians to use them to better educate patients about the treatments they are undergoing.

Medical illustrators work across a variety of visual media, including animations, interactive developments, multimedia, illustrations, and other forms of graphics. They can be found working in a variety of places such as hospitals, private institutions, universities, government and military agencies, or even being self-employed freelancers. They will also often collaborate with physicians, researchers, and educators to ensure that their work is scientifically accurate. Now, a typical day of a medical illustrator begins by planning tasks to accomplish that day, researching the topics they will be covering, creating rough outlines, refining designs, revising, having occasional meetings with clients, and preparing for the next day. Overall, this job requires individuals to be creative, precise, and possess strong communication skills.

The path to becoming a medical illustrator is similar in length to most health professions. The majority of medical illustrators complete training in about six years, although it can take up to a total of eight years. For high schoolers interested in this career, focusing on arts and science is most beneficial in the long run. In college, students should focus on studying art, biology, and some anatomy to build a strong foundation. After undergraduate studies, students will apply to a graduate program. Accredited programs for this career include degrees in medical illustration or biomedical visualization. An optional step some professionals consider doing is a certification demonstrating professional excellence.

Medical illustration is a dream career for those who wish to combine the world of arts and medicine while helping guide the future line of medical professionals. The average salary for a medical illustrator in the U.S. is approximately $83K - $170K annually. With experience and career advancement, there is a higher chance for an increase in salary, with some earning from $104K - $300K annually.  There is a steady demand for these specialists, making this a rewarding and fulfilling career for those willing to pursue it.

Works Cited

“Medical Illustrators Bring Complex Concepts to Life | Harvard Medical School Professional, Corporate, and Continuing Education.” Harvard Medical School Professional, Corporate and Continuing Education, 18 Sept. 2023, https://learn.hms.harvard.edu/insights/all-insights/medical-illustrators-bring-complex-concepts-life. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.

“Careers.” AMI, www.ami.org/medical-illustration/enter-the-profession/careers. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

CANDIDATE HANDBOOK for the Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) Exam. 2025. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.