Art Director salary in Birmingham, AL
Art Directors in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $78,710 a year ($37.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,480 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 2% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $77,220. There are 0.21 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $90,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,370 | $29.98 |
| 25th percentile | $74,440 | $35.79 |
| Median | $78,710 | $37.84 |
| 75th percentile | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,480 | $68.50 |
| Average (mean) | $90,420 | $43.47 |
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 | $6,559.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,279.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,027.31 |
| Weekly | $1,513.65 |
| Hourly | $37.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| Interior Designer | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Floral Designer | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,140 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| Editor | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Photographer | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $23.79 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,720 | $22.94 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for art directors in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $78,710 a year, or $37.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of art directors in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $142,480 a year. The top 25% earn $100,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,370 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $74,440 or less.
How many art directors work in Birmingham, AL?
About 110 art directors are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.