Art Director salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Art Directors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $104,570 a year ($50.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,750 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $103,550. There are 0.57 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $116,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,800 | $35.48 |
| 25th percentile | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Median | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| 75th percentile | $134,860 | $64.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,750 | $83.05 |
| Average (mean) | $116,590 | $56.06 |
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 | $8,714.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,357.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,021.92 |
| Weekly | $2,010.96 |
| Hourly | $50.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $105,270 | 160 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $101,480 | 420 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $97,360 | 320 |
| Peoria, IL | $87,790 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $87,570 | 130 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Floral Designer | $36,200 | $17.40 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $112,950 | $54.30 |
| Craft Artist | $49,200 | $23.66 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,940 | $36.51 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for art directors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $104,570 a year, or $50.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of art directors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $172,750 a year. The top 25% earn $134,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,800 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $80,230 or less.
How many art directors work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,560 art directors are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.