Art Director salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Art Directors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $99,990 a year ($48.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,330 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $99,990. There are 0.32 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $112,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,930 | $35.54 |
| 25th percentile | $81,910 | $39.38 |
| Median | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| 75th percentile | $123,480 | $59.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,330 | $77.08 |
| Average (mean) | $112,360 | $54.02 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $112,050 | 30 |
| Boulder, CO | $107,130 | 80 |
| 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 |
See Art Director pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $72,500 | $34.86 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| Interior Designer | $80,150 | $38.53 |
| Floral Designer | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| Fashion Designer | $99,420 | $47.80 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $84,230 | $40.49 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $91,290 | $43.89 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $83,000 | $39.90 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $64,510 | $31.01 |
| Craft Artist | $53,680 | $25.81 |
| Designers, All Other | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,110 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for art directors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $99,990 a year, or $48.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of art directors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $160,330 a year. The top 25% earn $123,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,930 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $81,910 or less.
How many art directors work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 520 art directors are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.