Art Director salary in Columbus, OH
Art Directors in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $101,990 a year ($49.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,290 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 8% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $94,390. There are 0.23 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $106,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,030 | $32.22 |
| 25th percentile | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Median | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| 75th percentile | $126,660 | $60.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,290 | $76.10 |
| Average (mean) | $106,430 | $51.17 |
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 | $8,499.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,249.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,922.69 |
| Weekly | $1,961.35 |
| Hourly | $49.03 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $97,360 | 320 |
| Cleveland, OH | $95,420 | 180 |
| 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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Interior Designer | $62,180 | $29.89 |
| Floral Designer | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| Designers, All Other | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,490 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,380 | $26.62 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,930 | $36.99 |
| Editor | $77,810 | $37.41 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for art directors in the Columbus, OH metro area is $101,990 a year, or $49.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of art directors in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $158,290 a year. The top 25% earn $126,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,030 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $81,250 or less.
How many art directors work in Columbus, OH?
About 250 art directors are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.