Art Directors pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for art directors is $55.22 an hour ($114,850 a year). About 53,070 people work in this job there.
Pay range for art directors in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $31.20 | $64,900 |
| 25% of workers | $39.65 | $82,480 |
| Half of workers (median) | $55.22 | $114,850 |
| 75% of workers | $78.19 | $162,640 |
| 90% of workers | $102.43 | $213,050 |
Best-paying states for art directors
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $149,320 | 1,850 |
| California | $137,780 | 12,430 |
| New York | $137,320 | 8,720 |
| Oregon | $133,840 | 1,040 |
| New Hampshire | $132,000 | 160 |
| Vermont | $129,260 | 80 |
| New Jersey | $129,200 | 1,840 |
| Washington | $121,170 | 650 |
| Georgia | $110,430 | 1,420 |
| Minnesota | $109,700 | 920 |
Pay by state
- California · $137,780
- Colorado · $99,990
- Connecticut · $71,900
- Florida · $99,660
- Georgia · $110,430
- Illinois · $103,550
- Maryland · $98,400
- Massachusetts · $149,320
- Michigan · $86,660
- Minnesota · $109,700
- Missouri · $100,940
- New Jersey · $129,200
- New York · $137,320
- Ohio · $94,390
- Oregon · $133,840
- Pennsylvania · $97,450
- South Carolina · $87,990
- Tennessee · $89,860
- Texas · $88,270
- Virginia · $101,150
- Washington · $121,170
- Wisconsin · $81,130
Education, experience and outlook for art directors
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 4 to 6 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 12,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | $62,960 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,390 |
| Interior Designers | $67,190 |
| Floral Designers | $37,360 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $83,910 |
| Fashion Designers | $80,960 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $102,030 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.