Art Director salary in Columbia, MO
Art Directors in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $80,060 a year ($38.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,990 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 21% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $100,940. There are 0.29 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| 25th percentile | $70,300 | $33.80 |
| Median | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| 75th percentile | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,990 | $74.51 |
| Average (mean) | $93,750 | $45.07 |
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 | $6,671.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,335.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,079.23 |
| Weekly | $1,539.62 |
| Hourly | $38.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $101,480 | 420 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $88,610 | n/a |
| Springfield, MO | $70,690 | 40 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| Interior Designer | $67,780 | $32.59 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Floral Designer | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,290 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,300 | $19.37 |
| Editor | $54,250 | $26.08 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,030 | $30.30 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for art directors in the Columbia, MO metro area is $80,060 a year, or $38.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of art directors in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $154,990 a year. The top 25% earn $100,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,140 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $70,300 or less.
How many art directors work in Columbia, MO?
About 30 art directors are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.