As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for an Art and Design Director in the United States is $149,030. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $131,790 to $168,900, with most professionals earning between $116,094 and $186,991.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $168,900 | $14,075 | $3,248 | $81 |
| Average | $149,030 | $12,419 | $2,866 | $72 |
| 25th Percentile | $131,790 | $10,983 | $2,534 | $63 |
An entry-level Art and Design Director with less than 1 year of experience earns about $141,311. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $142,597. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $143,884. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $146,457, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $149,030.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Art and Design Director | $141,311 |
| Intermediate Level Art and Design Director | $142,597 |
| Senior Level Art and Design Director | $143,884 |
| Specialist Level Art and Design Director | $146,457 |
| Expert Level Art and Design Director | $149,030 |
| Entry Level | 5% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 2% |
| Experienced | 0% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Art and Design Director compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $132,370 in 2023 to approximately $129,237 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Art and Design Director salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Art and Design Director information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Art and Design Director job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Art and Design Director and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $149,030 | 72.9% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $11,401 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $6,259 | 3.1% | ||
| Disability | $2,981 | 1.5% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 4.1% | ||
| Pension | $8,048 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $18,342 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $204,413 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 6.3% |
| Associates | 12.7% |
| Bachelors | 67.9% |
| Masters | 12.1% |
| Doctorate | 0.3% |
What Am I Worth?
The highest salary for an Art and Design Director is $178,810. The salary range typically starts at a minimum of $129,860, with a mid-level salary of $150,550. This reflects the competitive nature of the role and the expertise required in the field.
Yes, an Art Director is considered a high position within the creative field. Typically, they earn a salary ranging from $129,860 to $178,810, with a mid-salary of $150,550. This role requires extensive experience, often starting from entry-level positions, allowing them to develop skills and insights essential for leadership in creative projects.
Progressing to a mid-level creative role typically takes an additional 3-5 years, during which individuals refine their skills and build a strong portfolio. With 5-10 years of industry experience, professionals can reach the Art Director level, where salaries range from $129,860 to $178,810, with a median salary of $150,550.
Art directors typically require a bachelor's degree in an art or design field, along with relevant work experience. Many have backgrounds as graphic designers, illustrators, or in other creative roles. Salaries for art and design directors range from approximately $129,860 to $178,810, with a median salary around $150,550, reflecting the importance of their expertise in the industry.
Art directors typically require a bachelor's degree in an art or design field, along with relevant work experience. Many have backgrounds as graphic designers, fine artists, editors, or photographers. The salary for an Art and Design Director ranges from $129,860 to $178,810, with a median salary of $150,550, reflecting the importance of their expertise in the industry.
The role of an Art Director is inherently high-pressure, with responsibilities to deliver visually compelling results. With salaries ranging from $129,860 to $178,810, a well-managed work-life balance is crucial to reduce stress. This balance enhances focus and the ability to tackle complex design challenges with a clear and composed mind.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
