The average salary for a art director in the United States is $125,920, but the range typically falls between $78,970 and $155,680. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $60.54, with a range between $37.97 and $74.84.
There are approximately 51,200 people employed as a art director in the United States. With California, New York, Illinois employing the highest number of art directors.The state with the best pay for a art director is District of Columbia, with an average annual salary of $146,630, while Mississippi has the lowest average annual salary of $56,310.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Median | $106,500 | $51.2 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,680 | $74.84 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,800 | $100.87 |
The salary of a art director can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a art director in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for art directors are District of Columbia, New York, California, Washington, New Jersey while the worst states are Mississippi, Alaska, South Dakota, Arkansas, Utah.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $55,310 | $87,110 | $120,010 |
| Alaska | $36,800 | $66,100 | $106,400 |
| Arizona | $60,480 | $105,410 | $230,990 |
| Arkansas | $50,090 | $80,540 | $129,220 |
| California | $77,190 | $148,060 | >$239,200 |
| Connecticut | $55,000 | $100,510 | $157,500 |
| Delaware | $78,000 | $98,000 | $130,910 |
| District of Columbia | $73,870 | $146,630 | $180,800 |
| Florida | $52,000 | $98,350 | $153,940 |
| Idaho | $31,990 | $82,400 | $122,390 |
| Illinois | $62,740 | $113,520 | $171,370 |
| Indiana | $53,230 | $84,620 | $115,710 |
| Iowa | $51,890 | $85,310 | $115,370 |
| Kansas | $49,500 | $83,840 | $133,520 |
| Kentucky | $48,940 | $77,600 | $104,950 |
| Maine | $43,330 | $86,480 | $157,560 |
| Maryland | $55,040 | $98,040 | $148,560 |
| Massachusetts | $70,110 | $125,530 | $202,200 |
| Michigan | $53,890 | $93,520 | $136,950 |
| Minnesota | $68,850 | $107,360 | $161,490 |
| Mississippi | $35,750 | $56,310 | $94,350 |
| Missouri | $51,150 | $95,320 | $161,210 |
| Montana | $60,260 | $77,120 | $123,910 |
| Nebraska | $45,310 | $70,910 | $114,430 |
| Nevada | $50,910 | $81,490 | $123,220 |
| New Hampshire | $54,050 | $91,020 | $134,330 |
| New Jersey | $78,410 | $130,820 | $201,760 |
| New Mexico | $44,150 | $71,780 | $82,370 |
| New York | $73,840 | $161,490 | >$239,200 |
| North Carolina | $55,650 | $102,930 | $165,720 |
| Ohio | $52,140 | $97,250 | $140,570 |
| Oklahoma | $47,790 | $75,760 | $120,140 |
| Oregon | $62,260 | $119,470 | $169,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,600 | $98,080 | $150,090 |
| Rhode Island | $44,050 | $105,620 | $208,000 |
| South Carolina | $44,990 | $86,960 | $142,620 |
| South Dakota | $52,000 | $68,460 | $87,950 |
| Tennessee | $36,690 | $84,550 | $146,230 |
| Texas | $48,490 | $94,940 | $151,780 |
| Utah | $50,420 | $96,460 | $136,450 |
| Vermont | $62,190 | $101,720 | $155,100 |
| Virginia | $61,000 | $98,180 | $130,670 |
| Washington | $71,570 | $153,530 | >$239,200 |
| Wisconsin | $59,820 | $117,870 | $164,640 |
Even between cities, the salary of a art director can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for art directors is Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area, GA with an average salary of $164,580.The city with the lowest average salary for art directors is Jackson, MS with an average salary of $56,420.
Areas with highest average salaries for art directors
Areas with lowest average salaries for art directors
The number of art directors in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of art directors has increased by 10,250. On average, the number of art directors has been increasing by 6.3% each year. The salary of art directors has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of art directors has increased by $11,430. On average, the salary of art directors has been increasing by 2.5% each year.
Art Directors are part of the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for art directors compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations jobs here.
$58,700 per year
$71,600 per year
$73,250 per year
$81,870 per year
$87,840 per year
$107,432 per year
