Art Director salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Art Directors in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $76,110 a year ($36.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,990 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 15% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $89,860. There are 0.17 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $98,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| 25th percentile | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Median | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| 75th percentile | $126,220 | $60.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| Average (mean) | $98,710 | $47.46 |
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 | $6,342.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,171.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,927.31 |
| Weekly | $1,463.65 |
| Hourly | $36.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $117,650 | 40 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $111,480 | 1,190 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $101,470 | 520 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $89,860 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $79,500 | 90 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $55,250 | $26.56 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Interior Designer | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Floral Designer | $36,450 | $17.53 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,490 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,370 | $31.91 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Writers and Authors | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Editor | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Photographer | $33,600 | $16.15 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for art directors in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $76,110 a year, or $36.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of art directors in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $149,990 a year. The top 25% earn $126,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,050 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $62,400 or less.
How many art directors work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 40 art directors are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.