Art Director Salary Overview
The Art Director is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $105,500. Compensation typically ranges from $52,800 for entry-level positions to $176,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Art Director in the US earns between $52,800 and $176,600 per year, with a median of $105,500.
Art Director Salary by Experience
Entry-level art directors earn around $68,575, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $142,425 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $68,575 | $33/hr | $54,044 |
| Mid | $105,500 | $51/hr | $76,656 |
| Senior | $147,700 | $71/hr | $101,832 |
| Lead | $155,085 | $75/hr | $106,193 |
Art Director Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Art Director in each US state.
Pay for art directors varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,110 | $8,071 | $77,495 | 26.5% |
| Alaska | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
| Arizona | $105,500 | $14,824 | $2,272 | $8,071 | $80,333 | 23.9% |
| Arkansas | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,416 | $8,071 | $78,189 | 25.9% |
| California | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,949 | $8,071 | $76,656 | 27.3% |
| Colorado | $105,500 | $14,824 | $3,982 | $8,071 | $78,623 | 25.5% |
| Connecticut | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,080 | $8,071 | $77,525 | 26.5% |
| Delaware | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,732 | $8,071 | $76,873 | 27.1% |
| District of Columbia | $105,500 | $14,824 | $6,126 | $8,071 | $76,479 | 27.5% |
| Florida | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
| Georgia | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,133 | $8,071 | $77,472 | 26.6% |
| Hawaii | $105,500 | $14,824 | $7,776 | $8,071 | $74,829 | 29.1% |
| Idaho | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,272 | $8,071 | $77,333 | 26.7% |
| Illinois | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,085 | $8,071 | $77,520 | 26.5% |
| Indiana | $105,500 | $14,824 | $3,218 | $8,071 | $79,388 | 24.8% |
| Iowa | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,009 | $8,071 | $78,596 | 25.5% |
| Kansas | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,356 | $8,071 | $77,249 | 26.8% |
| Kentucky | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,094 | $8,071 | $78,512 | 25.6% |
| Louisiana | $105,500 | $14,824 | $3,902 | $8,071 | $78,703 | 25.4% |
| Maine | $105,500 | $14,824 | $6,005 | $8,071 | $76,600 | 27.4% |
| Maryland | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,845 | $8,071 | $77,760 | 26.3% |
| Massachusetts | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,055 | $8,071 | $77,550 | 26.5% |
| Michigan | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,246 | $8,071 | $78,360 | 25.7% |
| Minnesota | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,723 | $8,071 | $76,882 | 27.1% |
| Mississippi | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,380 | $8,071 | $78,225 | 25.9% |
| Missouri | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,193 | $8,071 | $78,412 | 25.7% |
| Montana | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,117 | $8,071 | $77,488 | 26.6% |
| Nebraska | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,641 | $8,071 | $77,965 | 26.1% |
| Nevada | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
| New Hampshire | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
| New Jersey | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,594 | $8,071 | $78,011 | 26.1% |
| New Mexico | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,175 | $8,071 | $78,431 | 25.7% |
| New York | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,558 | $8,071 | $77,048 | 27.0% |
| North Carolina | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,174 | $8,071 | $78,432 | 25.7% |
| North Dakota | $105,500 | $14,824 | $1,773 | $8,071 | $80,833 | 23.4% |
| Ohio | $105,500 | $14,824 | $2,222 | $8,071 | $80,383 | 23.8% |
| Oklahoma | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,521 | $8,071 | $78,084 | 26.0% |
| Oregon | $105,500 | $14,824 | $8,706 | $8,071 | $73,899 | 30.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $105,500 | $14,824 | $3,239 | $8,071 | $79,366 | 24.8% |
| Rhode Island | $105,500 | $14,824 | $3,776 | $8,071 | $78,830 | 25.3% |
| South Carolina | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,125 | $8,071 | $77,481 | 26.6% |
| South Dakota | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
| Tennessee | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
| Texas | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
| Utah | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,906 | $8,071 | $77,700 | 26.4% |
| Vermont | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,022 | $8,071 | $77,583 | 26.5% |
| Virginia | $105,500 | $14,824 | $5,550 | $8,071 | $77,055 | 27.0% |
| Washington | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
| West Virginia | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,513 | $8,071 | $78,092 | 26.0% |
| Wisconsin | $105,500 | $14,824 | $4,504 | $8,071 | $78,102 | 26.0% |
| Wyoming | $105,500 | $14,824 | $0 | $8,071 | $82,605 | 21.7% |
Top Cities for Art Director Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for art directors tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $116,050 |
| San Francisco, CA | $116,050 |
| Hartford, CT | $116,050 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $116,050 |
| Washington, DC | $116,050 |
Calculate Art Director Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Art Director
Becoming a art director typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Art Director Career Outlook
Employment of art directors is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Art Director Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for art directors in the US is $105,500, with a typical range from $52,800 to $176,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for art directors include NY, CA, CT. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level art directors can expect to earn around $68,575 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a art director can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for art directors is approximately $50.72, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.