Art Director salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Art Directors in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $101,300 a year ($48.70 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $61,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,750 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 26% lower than the New York statewide median of $137,320. The average (mean) salary is $116,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| 25th percentile | $81,800 | $39.33 |
| Median | $101,300 | $48.70 |
| 75th percentile | $137,490 | $66.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,750 | $79.69 |
| Average (mean) | $116,140 | $55.84 |
Half of art directors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,441.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,220.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,896.15 |
| Weekly | $1,948.08 |
| Hourly | $48.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Art Director salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $142,990 | 8,980 |
| Syracuse, NY | $118,560 | 60 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $117,110 | 60 |
| Rochester, NY | $102,070 | 190 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $95,770 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for art directors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $149,320 |
| California | $137,780 |
| New York | $137,320 |
| Oregon | $133,840 |
| New Hampshire | $132,000 |
| Vermont | $129,260 |
| New Jersey | $129,200 |
| Washington | $121,170 |
| Georgia | $110,430 |
| Minnesota | $109,700 |
See Art Director pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,200 | $30.39 |
| Interior Designer | $55,380 | $26.62 |
| Floral Designer | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $80,070 | $38.49 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $57,620 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Editor | $77,570 | $37.29 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $69,470 | $33.40 |
| Photographer | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.78 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a art director make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for art directors in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $101,300 a year, or $48.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of art directors in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $165,750 a year. The top 25% earn $137,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,640 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $81,800 or less.