Art Director salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Art Directors in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median of $101,880 a year ($48.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,400 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 18% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $86,660. There are 0.19 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $106,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Ann Arbor, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,430 | $27.13 |
| 25th percentile | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Median | $101,880 | $48.98 |
| 75th percentile | $137,450 | $66.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,400 | $85.29 |
| Average (mean) | $106,420 | $51.16 |
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 | $8,490 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,245 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,918.46 |
| Weekly | $1,959.23 |
| Hourly | $48.98 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $95,390 | 650 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $83,050 | 90 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $81,500 | 60 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $55,020 | $26.45 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Interior Designer | $58,600 | $28.18 |
| Floral Designer | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $83,530 | $40.16 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| Designers, All Other | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,890 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $45.21 |
| Editor | $64,670 | $31.09 |
| Writers and Authors | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $45,160 | $21.71 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Ann Arbor, MI
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 Ann Arbor, MI?
The median salary for art directors in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $101,880 a year, or $48.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top 10% of art directors in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn at least $177,400 a year. The top 25% earn $137,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Ann Arbor, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,430 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $64,390 or less.
How many art directors work in Ann Arbor, MI?
About 40 art directors are employed in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.