Art Director salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Art Directors in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $97,360 a year ($46.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,330 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 3% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $94,390. There are 0.29 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| 25th percentile | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| Median | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| 75th percentile | $124,760 | $59.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,330 | $77.56 |
| Average (mean) | $102,010 | $49.04 |
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 | $8,113.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,056.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,744.62 |
| Weekly | $1,872.31 |
| Hourly | $46.81 |
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 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $104,570 | 2,560 |
| Columbus, OH | $101,990 | 250 |
| Cleveland, OH | $95,420 | 180 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $89,520 | 50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $87,570 | 130 |
| Akron, OH | $85,630 | 50 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $73,960 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Interior Designer | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $95,160 | $45.75 |
| Floral Designer | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Craft Artist | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $67,710 | $32.56 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Technical Writer | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Editor | $62,610 | $30.10 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for art directors in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $97,360 a year, or $46.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of art directors in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $161,330 a year. The top 25% earn $124,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,000 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $77,810 or less.
How many art directors work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 320 art directors are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.