Art Directors
SOC code 27-1011 · O*NET-SOC 27-1011.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Art Directors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$114,850
a year
Hourly
$55.22
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$129,440
$62.23 per hour
Middle 50%
$82,480 – $162,640
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$64,900 – $213,050
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
53,070
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $64,900
- $31.20/hr
- 25th percentile
- $82,480
- $39.65/hr
- Median percentile
- $114,850
- $55.22/hr
- 75th percentile
- $162,640
- $78.19/hr
- 90th percentile
- $213,050
- $102.43/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
135,000
jobs in 2024
140,700
projected for 2034
About 5,700 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an art director do?
Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
- Present final layouts to clients for approval.
- Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
- Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
- Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
- Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
- Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
- Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing.
How to become an art director
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 68% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree68%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)10%
- Master's Degree8%
- Some College Courses6%
Common questions
How much does an art director earn?
The national median is $114,850 a year. The full range runs from $64,900 at the 10th percentile to $213,050 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an art director without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is art director in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Writing3.4/5
Knowledge areas
- Design4.3/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Computers and Electronics4.2/5
- Fine Arts4.2/5
- Communications and Media4.1/5
- Sales and Marketing3.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.3/5
- Production and Processing3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Persuasion.