Art Director salary in Columbia, SC
Art Directors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $87,990 a year ($42.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,350 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $87,990. There are 0.32 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,050 | $31.76 |
| 25th percentile | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Median | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| 75th percentile | $93,210 | $44.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,350 | $81.42 |
| Average (mean) | $97,250 | $46.76 |
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 | $7,332.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,666.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,384.23 |
| Weekly | $1,692.12 |
| Hourly | $42.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $93,160 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $90,000 | n/a |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $87,610 | 120 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $85,510 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Graphic Designer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| Photographer | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Technical Writer | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Editor | $67,530 | $32.46 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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, SC?
The median salary for art directors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $87,990 a year, or $42.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of art directors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $169,350 a year. The top 25% earn $93,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,050 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $80,090 or less.
How many art directors work in Columbia, SC?
About 130 art directors are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.