Creative55% remote-eligible+2.8% YoY growth

Art Director Salary
by City (2026)

Lead the visual direction of marketing campaigns, publications, and media productions. National median: $100K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$100K

Top 10% earn

$178K

Entry level

$72K

Salary growth

+2.8%/yr

Art Director salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$108K	$150K	$203K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$102K	$142K	$192K	210	9.3%
Los Angeles, CA	$101K	$140K	$189K	163	9.3%
Oakland, CA	$99K	$138K	$186K	185	9.3%
New York City, NY	$98K	$136K	$184K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$97K	$135K	$182K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$97K	$135K	$182K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$94K	$130K	$176K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$93K	$129K	$174K	172	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$91K	$126K	$170K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$91K	$126K	$170K	165	5.75%
Long Beach, CA	$90K	$125K	$169K	155	9.3%
Washington, DC	$90K	$125K	$169K	152	8.5%
Jersey City, NJ	$90K	$125K	$169K	162	10.75%
Kirkland, WA	$90K	$124K	$168K	162	None ✓
Stamford, CT	$88K	$123K	$165K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$87K	$121K	$164K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$86K	$120K	$162K	148	9.3%
Seattle, WA	$86K	$120K	$162K	150	None ✓
Newark, NJ	$86K	$120K	$162K	155	10.75%
Santa Ana, CA	$86K	$119K	$160K	150	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$85K	$118K	$159K	148	9.3%
Boston, MA	$85K	$118K	$159K	162	5%
Arlington, VA	$85K	$118K	$159K	148	5.75%
Portland, OR	$85K	$118K	$159K	130	9.9%
Rockville, MD	$85K	$118K	$159K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$84K	$117K	$157K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$84K	$117K	$157K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$82K	$114K	$154K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$82K	$113K	$153K	138	9.3%
Edison, NJ	$82K	$113K	$153K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$82K	$113K	$153K	138	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$81K	$112K	$151K	128	9.3%
Miami, FL	$79K	$110K	$149K	123	None ✓
Denver, CO	$79K	$110K	$149K	118	4.55%
Honolulu, HI	$79K	$110K	$149K	192	11%
Austin, TX	$78K	$108K	$146K	110	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$78K	$108K	$146K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$78K	$108K	$146K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$78K	$108K	$146K	120	5%
Philadelphia, PA	$78K	$108K	$146K	110	3.07%
New Haven, CT	$76K	$106K	$143K	122	6.99%
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$76K	$105K	$142K	118	None ✓
Tacoma, WA	$76K	$105K	$142K	128	None ✓
Atlanta, GA	$76K	$105K	$142K	99	5.75%
Nashville, TN	$76K	$105K	$142K	102	None ✓
Minneapolis, MN	$76K	$105K	$142K	106	6.8%
Baltimore, MD	$76K	$105K	$142K	115	5.75%
Hartford, CT	$76K	$105K	$142K	118	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$76K	$105K	$142K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$75K	$104K	$140K	118	5.99%
Hialeah, FL	$74K	$103K	$139K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$74K	$103K	$139K	115	None ✓
Lakewood, CO	$74K	$103K	$139K	115	4.55%
Ann Arbor, MI	$74K	$103K	$139K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$74K	$103K	$139K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$74K	$103K	$139K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$74K	$103K	$139K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$74K	$103K	$139K	115	5.99%
Dallas, TX	$73K	$102K	$138K	96	None ✓
Plano, TX	$73K	$102K	$138K	105	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$73K	$102K	$138K	112	4.55%
St. Paul, MN	$73K	$102K	$138K	104	6.8%
Salt Lake City, UT	$73K	$102K	$138K	105	4.85%
Anchorage, AK	$73K	$102K	$138K	128	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$73K	$101K	$137K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$73K	$101K	$137K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$73K	$101K	$137K	112	4.75%
Tampa, FL	$72K	$100K	$135K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$72K	$100K	$135K	100	None ✓
Raleigh, NC	$72K	$100K	$135K	102	4.75%
Durham, NC	$72K	$100K	$135K	100	4.75%
Eugene, OR	$72K	$100K	$135K	110	9.9%
Las Vegas, NV	$72K	$100K	$135K	102	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$71K	$99K	$134K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$71K	$99K	$134K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$71K	$99K	$134K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$71K	$99K	$134K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$71K	$99K	$134K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$71K	$99K	$134K	108	6.6%
McKinney, TX	$71K	$98K	$132K	108	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$71K	$98K	$132K	105	9.3%
St. Petersburg, FL	$71K	$98K	$132K	105	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$71K	$98K	$132K	100	2.5%
Chandler, AZ	$71K	$98K	$132K	105	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$71K	$98K	$132K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$71K	$98K	$132K	100	4.75%
Salem, OR	$71K	$98K	$132K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$71K	$98K	$132K	105	None ✓
Provo, UT	$71K	$98K	$132K	100	4.85%
Meridian, ID	$71K	$98K	$132K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$70K	$97K	$130K	102	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$70K	$97K	$130K	102	6.75%
Fort Worth, TX	$69K	$96K	$130K	93	None ✓
Irving, TX	$69K	$96K	$130K	97	None ✓
Denton, TX	$69K	$96K	$129K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$69K	$96K	$129K	100	9.3%
Cape Coral, FL	$69K	$96K	$129K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$69K	$96K	$129K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$69K	$96K	$129K	100	6.8%
Reno, NV	$69K	$96K	$130K	108	None ✓
West Jordan, UT	$69K	$96K	$129K	100	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$69K	$96K	$130K	105	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$69K	$96K	$129K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$69K	$96K	$129K	100	6.6%
Houston, TX	$68K	$95K	$128K	91	None ✓
Arlington, TX	$68K	$95K	$128K	94	None ✓
Albany, NY	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	5.75%
Pittsburgh, PA	$68K	$95K	$128K	90	3.07%
Madison, WI	$68K	$95K	$128K	102	5.3%
North Las Vegas, NV	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$68K	$95K	$128K	98	7.15%
Mesa, AZ	$68K	$94K	$127K	98	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$68K	$94K	$127K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$68K	$94K	$127K	90	3.99%
Bakersfield, CA	$67K	$93K	$126K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$67K	$93K	$126K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$67K	$93K	$126K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$67K	$93K	$126K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$67K	$93K	$126K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$67K	$93K	$126K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$67K	$93K	$126K	95	6.5%
Garland, TX	$66K	$92K	$124K	91	None ✓
Midland, TX	$66K	$92K	$124K	92	None ✓
Jacksonville, FL	$66K	$92K	$124K	93	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$66K	$92K	$124K	102	4.55%
Athens, GA	$66K	$92K	$124K	92	5.75%
Virginia Beach, VA	$66K	$92K	$124K	98	5.75%
Cincinnati, OH	$66K	$92K	$124K	88	3.99%
Kansas City, MO	$66K	$92K	$124K	90	5.3%
Duluth, MN	$66K	$92K	$124K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$66K	$92K	$124K	92	6.5%
New Orleans, LA	$66K	$92K	$124K	92	6%
Cheyenne, WY	$66K	$92K	$124K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$66K	$91K	$123K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$66K	$91K	$123K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$66K	$91K	$123K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$66K	$91K	$123K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$66K	$91K	$123K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$66K	$91K	$123K	90	2.5%
San Antonio, TX	$65K	$90K	$122K	87	None ✓
Pasadena, TX	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$65K	$90K	$122K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$65K	$90K	$122K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$65K	$90K	$122K	82	4.25%
St. Louis, MO	$65K	$90K	$122K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$65K	$90K	$122K	90	5.3%
Green Bay, WI	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$65K	$90K	$122K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$64K	$89K	$120K	85	4.9%
Buffalo, NY	$63K	$88K	$119K	88	6.85%
Savannah, GA	$63K	$88K	$119K	92	5.75%
Louisville, KY	$63K	$88K	$119K	85	5%
Huntsville, AL	$63K	$88K	$119K	88	5%
Amarillo, TX	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$63K	$87K	$118K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	4.95%
Spokane, WA	$62K	$86K	$116K	95	None ✓
Macon, GA	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	5.75%
Cleveland, OH	$62K	$86K	$116K	82	3.99%
Akron, OH	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$62K	$86K	$116K	90	4.25%
Erie, PA	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	4.75%
Des Moines, IA	$62K	$86K	$116K	88	4.82%
Omaha, NE	$62K	$86K	$116K	88	5.84%
Las Cruces, NM	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$62K	$86K	$117K	80	5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$61K	$85K	$115K	84	None ✓
Abilene, TX	$61K	$85K	$115K	78	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$61K	$85K	$115K	90	2.5%
Memphis, TN	$61K	$85K	$115K	82	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$61K	$85K	$115K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$61K	$85K	$115K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$61K	$85K	$115K	78	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$61K	$85K	$115K	88	5.9%
Jackson, MS	$61K	$85K	$115K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$61K	$85K	$115K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$60K	$84K	$113K	75	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$60K	$84K	$113K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$60K	$84K	$113K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$60K	$84K	$113K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$60K	$84K	$113K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$60K	$84K	$113K	88	6%
Fort Smith, AR	$60K	$84K	$113K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$60K	$84K	$113K	75	6.5%
El Paso, TX	$59K	$82K	$111K	82	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$59K	$82K	$111K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$59K	$82K	$111K	82	5.7%
Lubbock, TX	$58K	$80K	$108K	78	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$58K	$80K	$108K	82	4.9%
Laredo, TX	$54K	$75K	$101K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $100K Art Director salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Art Director Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Art Director is $100,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $72,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $135,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Art Directors nationally earn $178,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in Design; 5+ years design experience. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Art Director compensation is growing at 2.8% annually, near the national average wage growth rate.

Art Director salary FAQ

How much does a Art Director make?

The median Art Director salary in the US is $100,000 per year — about $48/hour. Most earn between $72,000 (25th percentile) and $135,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Art Director?

Entry-level Art Director positions typically start around $72,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Art Directors earn?

The top 10% of Art Directors earn $178,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Art Directors the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Art Director salary at $150K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Art Director salaries going up?

Yes — Art Director pay is growing about 2.8% year over year, near the US average wage-growth rate.

Art Director Salaryby City (2026)