What a 'Successful' Artist Can Expect to Make These Days...

Are the expectations around what an artist should be making simply misguided?  Boldly taking a crack at this question is New York Magazine, which compiled this earnings estimate for an average, 'successful' do-it-yourself band, as well as an 'indie darling'.  They based this research on interviews with both artists and knowledgeable industry execs.   

Here's one look at a totally do-it-yourself artist with some traction...  

...and this is what a successful, Pitchfork-lauded, 'indie darling' signed to a small label might expect, under the same methodology.