Art Director salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Art Directors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $90,000 a year ($43.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,410 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 11% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $80,940. There are 0.33 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,740 | $31.61 |
| 25th percentile | $73,800 | $35.48 |
| Median | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| 75th percentile | $115,500 | $55.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,410 | $63.18 |
| Average (mean) | $97,060 | $46.66 |
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 | $7,500 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,750 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,461.54 |
| Weekly | $1,730.77 |
| Hourly | $43.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Art Director salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $103,120 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $78,420 | 80 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Interior Designer | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Floral Designer | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Editor | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Technical Writer | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| Photographer | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,400 | $26.63 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,230 | $26.07 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for art directors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $90,000 a year, or $43.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of art directors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $131,410 a year. The top 25% earn $115,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,740 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $73,800 or less.
How many art directors work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 130 art directors are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.