Art Director Salary in 2026
How Much Do Art Directors Make?
Art Directors earn a median annual salary of $111,040 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $61,060 at the 10th percentile to $211,410 at the 90th percentile — a range of $150,350. The highest-paying state is Oregon at $148,410.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,060 |
| 25th percentile | $80,130 |
| Median (50th) | $111,040 |
| 75th percentile | $160,460 |
| 90th percentile | $211,410 |
Art Director Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregontop | $148,410 |
| Washington | $143,490 |
| New York | $136,610 |
| California | $133,930 |
| Georgia | $131,620 |
| Massachusetts | $131,050 |
| District of Columbia | $126,520 |
| New Jersey | $126,030 |
| Hawaii | $108,420 |
| New Hampshire | $101,890 |
| Connecticut | $101,050 |
| Illinois | $100,530 |
| Maryland | $100,230 |
| Indiana | $98,560 |
| Minnesota | $98,330 |
| Delaware | $97,320 |
| Virginia | $95,680 |
| Vermont | $94,720 |
| Missouri | $94,000 |
| Florida | $93,630 |
| Colorado | $93,550 |
| Ohio | $92,370 |
| Utah | $91,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,990 |
| Nevada | $89,710 |
| North Carolina | $89,570 |
| Michigan | $86,720 |
| Arizona | $85,470 |
| Wisconsin | $85,370 |
| Iowa | $80,560 |
| Texas | $79,930 |
| Maine | $78,200 |
| Montana | $77,240 |
| Alabama | $77,140 |
| Tennessee | $75,820 |
| Nebraska | $75,010 |
| Idaho | $74,990 |
| Oklahoma | $72,740 |
| Kansas | $69,840 |
| Kentucky | $68,420 |
| Arkansas | $67,320 |
| South Carolina | $66,130 |
| Louisiana | $66,030 |
| Rhode Island | $65,270 |
| Alaska | $60,980 |
| New Mexico | $59,740 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Art Directors
Art Director Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$61,060 – $80,130 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$111,040 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$160,460 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $211,410+ |
How to Earn More as an Art Director
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Art Directors in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $170,760 — $59,720 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($160,460) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Art Director Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Art Directorthis career | $111,040 |
| Video Game Designer | $98,090 |
| Information Technology Project Manager | $108,970 |
| Craft Artist | $38,480 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator | $60,560 |
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SOC: 27-1011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.