Art Director salary in Colorado
Art Directors in Colorado earn a median of $99,990 a year ($48.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,610 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $114,850. Colorado ranks 17th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.25 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $112,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,110 | $35.15 |
| 25th percentile | $81,910 | $39.38 |
| Median | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| 75th percentile | $123,570 | $59.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,610 | $78.18 |
| Average (mean) | $112,040 | $53.86 |
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 | $8,332.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,166.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,845.77 |
| Weekly | $1,922.88 |
| Hourly | $48.07 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $112,050 | 30 |
| Boulder, CO | $107,130 | 80 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $99,990 | 520 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $93,090 | 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $66,330 | $31.89 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Interior Designer | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Floral Designer | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $90,590 | $43.55 |
| Fashion Designer | $94,140 | $45.26 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $51,910 | $24.96 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,630 | $31.55 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $91,290 | $43.89 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $69,860 | $33.59 |
| Craft Artist | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,680 | $38.79 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,110 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $78,060 | $37.53 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for art directors in Colorado is $99,990 a year, or $48.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Colorado?
The top 10% of art directors in Colorado earn at least $162,610 a year. The top 25% earn $123,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,110 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $81,910 or less.
How many art directors work in Colorado?
About 720 art directors are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.