Salary Outlook
The BLS reports the median annual wage for art directors was $81,260 in 2010. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made approximately $166,620, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $44,120. The highest-paid work is in the metropolitan areas of New York, Los Angeles, and Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $53,450.00 |
| 2004 | $47,540.00 |
| 2006 | $49,780.00 |
| 2008 | $52,350.00 |
| 2010 | $61,760.00 |
Average Art Director Pay vs. All Creative Jobs
The average art director makes a salary that's higher than other creative jobs on our list. For example, an art director's average salary is $81,260, compared to an architect's average salary of $73,340, and a public relations specialist's average salary of $53,190.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Director | $81,260.00 |
| Architect | $73,340.00 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $53,190.00 |
See Complete List of Best Creative Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Art Directors
The highest paid in the art director profession work in the metropolitan areas of New York City, NY, Los Angeles, CA, and Nassau, NY. The San Francisco, CA area also pays well, as does the city of Richmond, VA.
New York City, NY
Average Salary: $136,390 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an art director working in New York City, NY is $136,390, which is $55,130 more than the average pay in the profession.
Los Angeles, CA
Average Salary: $118,800 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an art director working in Los Angeles, CA is $118,800, which is $37,540 more than the average pay in the profession.
Nassau, NY
Average Salary: $117,430 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an art director working in Nassau, NY is $117,430, which is $36,170 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $116,090 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an art director working in San Francisco, CA is $116,090, which is $34,830 more than the average pay in the profession.
Richmond, VA
Average Salary: $114,460 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of an art director working in Richmond, VA is $114,460, which is $33,200 more than the average pay in the profession.
