Art Director salary in Cleveland, OH
Art Directors in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $95,420 a year ($45.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,450 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 1% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $94,390. There are 0.17 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $98,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,140 | $30.36 |
| 25th percentile | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| Median | $95,420 | $45.87 |
| 75th percentile | $113,300 | $54.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,450 | $62.72 |
| Average (mean) | $98,150 | $47.19 |
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 | $7,951.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,975.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,670 |
| Weekly | $1,835 |
| Hourly | $45.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $101,990 | 250 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $97,360 | 320 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $89,520 | 50 |
| Akron, OH | $85,630 | 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 Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Interior Designer | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Floral Designer | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Craft Artist | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $54,070 | $26.00 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,500 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,610 | $32.02 |
| Editor | $73,850 | $35.51 |
| Producers and Directors | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $35.79 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,670 | $25.32 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for art directors in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $95,420 a year, or $45.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of art directors in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $130,450 a year. The top 25% earn $113,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,140 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $78,920 or less.
How many art directors work in Cleveland, OH?
About 180 art directors are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.