Artistic Director Salary in San Francisco, California

How much does an Artistic Director make in San Francisco, CA?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for an Artistic Director in San Francisco, CA is $192,039. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $141,696 to a high of $260,976, with most professionals earning between $165,688 and $228,123.

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Salary range for an Artistic Director

$165,688 to $228,123

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What is an Artistic Director?

An Artistic Director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre or dance company, who handles the organization's artistic direction. They are generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization. The Artistic Director of a theatre company is the individual with the overarching artistic control of the theatre's production choices, directorial choices, and overall artistic vision. In smaller theatres, the Artistic Director may be the founder of the theatre and the primary director of its plays....

Source: Wikipedia (as of 09/06/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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What does an Artistic Director do?

Common responsibilities of an Artistic Director

Attend rehearsals as needed, greet and welcome the company at first rehearsal, attend dress rehearsal and provide any feedback requested from directors.

February 05, 2023

Provides oversight and supervision of all performing arts programming produced or contracted by the Foundation, ensuring that terms of contracts are met and the Foundation's equipment and facilities are used properly.

March 20, 2023

Management of the studio including inventory, ordering, budget management, cleanliness and maintenance, ensuring a safe working environment and reporting any issues or concerns.

March 22, 2023

Supervise the full time Arts & Culture Program Director whose duties include film programming including film festival, the development of a new adult programming platform, and overseeing the gallery.

March 26, 2023

Demonstrates well-established, efficient, and advanced skills in rehearsal technique that balance attention to technical details, overall interpretive goals, and scheduling practicalities.

April 19, 2023

Participates in the creation of annual Program budgets in conjunction with the Artistic Director and Business Manager.

May 15, 2023

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Artistic Director Salary By Experience Levels in San Francisco, CA

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RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE

Length of experience is a pay differentiator. Those with greater experience may have an advantage in negotiating salary. For those with less experience, other factors such as education or special skills could impact your pay. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Artistic Director Salary By Level of Education in San Francisco, CA

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LEVEL OF EDUCATION

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Average Salary Range for Artistic Director in San Francisco, CA

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

165688

228123

192039

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

179465

257172

213572

What is the average salary for Artistic Director in 2025?

These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Artistic Director in San Francisco, CA. The base salary for Artistic Director ranges from $165,688 to $228,123 with the average base salary of $192,039. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $179,465 to $257,172 with the average total cash compensation of $213,572.

View Average Salary for Artistic Director as table

	Average Salary	Average Salary Range
Base Salary	$192,039	$165,688 - $228,123
Bonus	$21,533	$13,777 - $29,048
Total Pay	$213,572	$179,465 - $257,172

* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.

* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Artistic Director Salary Near San Francisco, CA

CITY, STATE	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE	COMPARE TO San Francisco, CA
CITY, STATE Daly City, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $165,688 - $228,123	COMPARE TO San Francisco, CA 0%
CITY, STATE Berkeley, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $162,013 - $223,064	COMPARE TO San Francisco, CA
CITY, STATE Oakland, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $162,013 - $223,064	COMPARE TO San Francisco, CA
CITY, STATE Vallejo, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $149,250 - $205,492	COMPARE TO San Francisco, CA
CITY, STATE Hayward, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $161,748 - $222,698	COMPARE TO San Francisco, CA
CITY, STATE Concord, CA	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $148,932 - $205,054	COMPARE TO San Francisco, CA

See salaries for Artistic Director in locations close to San Francisco, CA. Pay for the same job may vary based on the location and on the location and on other factors such as the size of company, the industry, and other local conditions.

About San Francisco, California

San Francisco is located on the West Coast of the United States at the north end of the San Francisco Peninsula and includes significant stretches of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay within its boundaries. Several picturesque islands—Alcatraz, Treasure Island and the adjacent Yerba Buena Island, and small portions of Alameda Island, Red Rock Island, and Angel Island—are part of the city. Also included are the uninhabited Farallon Islands, 27 miles (43 km) offshore in the Pacific Ocean. The mainland within the city limits roughly forms a "seven-by-seven-mile square", a common local collo...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

View Salary for Similar Jobs to Artistic Director in San Francisco, CA

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JOB TITLE	LOCATION	MINIMUM SALARY	MAXIMUM SALARY
JOB TITLE Associate Artistic Director	LOCATION San Francisco, CA	MINIMUM SALARY $154,055	MAXIMUM SALARY $210,855
JOB TITLE Assistant to the Artistic Director	LOCATION San Francisco, CA	MINIMUM SALARY $51,114	MAXIMUM SALARY $63,976
JOB TITLE Artistic Coordinator	LOCATION San Francisco, CA	MINIMUM SALARY $49,705	MAXIMUM SALARY $60,883
JOB TITLE Artistic Administrator	LOCATION San Francisco, CA	MINIMUM SALARY $52,384	MAXIMUM SALARY $66,005
JOB TITLE Artistic Assistant	LOCATION San Francisco, CA	MINIMUM SALARY $38,684	MAXIMUM SALARY $45,606
JOB TITLE Artistic Associate	LOCATION San Francisco, CA	MINIMUM SALARY $54,178	MAXIMUM SALARY $65,943

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