Art Director salary in California
Art Directors in California earn a median of $137,780 a year ($66.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $249,210 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $114,850. California ranks 2nd of 46 states for art directors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.68 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $156,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| 25th percentile | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| Median | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| 75th percentile | $192,380 | $92.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $249,210 | $119.81 |
| Average (mean) | $156,060 | $75.03 |
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 | $11,481.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,740.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,299.23 |
| Weekly | $2,649.62 |
| Hourly | $66.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Art Director salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $170,140 | 600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $165,210 | 2,390 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $137,560 | 6,590 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $126,410 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $126,050 | 630 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $123,420 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $121,920 | 100 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $110,180 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $109,500 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $109,420 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $106,390 | 310 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $104,360 | 320 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $100,770 | $48.45 |
| Floral Designer | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 | $50.49 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Craft Artist | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for art directors in California is $137,780 a year, or $66.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $249,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in California?
The top 10% of art directors in California earn at least $249,210 a year. The top 25% earn $192,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,500 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $106,470 or less.
How many art directors work in California?
About 12,430 art directors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.