Art Director salary in Boulder, CO
Art Directors in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $107,130 a year ($51.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,920 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 7% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $99,990. There are 0.41 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $116,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| 25th percentile | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Median | $107,130 | $51.51 |
| 75th percentile | $136,250 | $65.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Average (mean) | $116,170 | $55.85 |
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 | $8,927.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,463.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,120.38 |
| Weekly | $2,060.19 |
| Hourly | $51.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $112,050 | 30 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $99,990 | 520 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $93,090 | 50 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $67,680 | $32.54 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Interior Designer | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Floral Designer | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Fashion Designer | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Editor | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Technical Writer | $105,840 | $50.89 |
| Writers and Authors | $83,540 | $40.16 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $49,460 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $64.45 |
| Photographer | $60,930 | $29.29 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for art directors in the Boulder, CO metro area is $107,130 a year, or $51.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of art directors in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $163,920 a year. The top 25% earn $136,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,730 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $89,990 or less.
How many art directors work in Boulder, CO?
About 80 art directors are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.