How much does a art director make?
The median art director in the United States earns $114,850 per year, about $55.22 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all art directors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-1011.
Art director salary range
Pay for art directors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $64,900 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $213,050. The average (mean) wage of $129,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,900 | $31.20 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $82,480 | $39.65 | |
| Median (50th) | $114,850 | $55.22 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $162,640 | $78.19 | |
| 90th percentile | $213,050 | $102.43 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for art directors (SOC 27-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Art director salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Art directors earn the most in Massachusetts at $149,320 a year, and the least in Kansas at $60,460. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Utah | $106,500 | 290 |
| Indiana | $105,690 | 350 |
| Illinois | $103,550 | 2,960 |
| Virginia | $101,150 | 670 |
| Missouri | $100,940 | 780 |
| Maine | $100,300 | N/A |
| Colorado | $99,990 | 720 |
| Florida | $99,660 | 2,520 |
| Maryland | $98,400 | 570 |
| Nevada | $98,070 | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,450 | 1,250 |
| Ohio | $94,390 | 1,050 |
| North Carolina | $90,000 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $89,860 | 930 |
| Hawaii | $89,300 | 40 |
| Texas | $88,270 | 2,480 |
| South Carolina | $87,990 | 550 |
| Michigan | $86,660 | 1,080 |
| Louisiana | $83,640 | 160 |
| North Dakota | $83,170 | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $81,130 | 730 |
| Iowa | $80,940 | 280 |
| Idaho | $80,680 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $80,680 | 290 |
| Alabama | $77,220 | 210 |
| Kentucky | $76,160 | 320 |
| Alaska | $75,200 | 40 |
| Montana | $73,850 | 100 |
| Nebraska | $73,270 | 140 |
| Rhode Island | $72,550 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $71,930 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $71,900 | 1,160 |
| South Dakota | $66,610 | 30 |
| Mississippi | $66,020 | 90 |
| West Virginia | $63,550 | 30 |
| Kansas | $60,460 | N/A |
State median wages for art directors (SOC 27-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for art directors
The BLS projects employment of art directors to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 140,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 146,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,200 openings a year for art directors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an art director
The typical entry-level education for art directors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an art director earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $149,320) and the lowest (Kansas, $60,460) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 53,070 people work as art directors in the United States. At $114,850 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Art director salary FAQ
How much does an art director make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an art director is $55.22. The middle half of art directors earn between $39.65 and $78.19 per hour.
What is the highest art director salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of art directors earn more than $213,050 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an art director make a year?
The median annual salary for an art director is $114,850. The average (mean) wage of $129,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an art director a well paid job?
At $114,850 a year, an art director earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 53,070 people work as art directors in the United States.
Which state pays art directors the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for art directors at $149,320 a year. California ($137,780) and New York ($137,320) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an art director a good career?
Employment of art directors is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an art director?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for art directors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Arts & Media salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.