Art Director salary in Illinois
Art Directors in Illinois earn a median of $103,550 a year ($49.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,050 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $114,850. Illinois ranks 13th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.49 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,200 | $33.27 |
| 25th percentile | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| Median | $103,550 | $49.79 |
| 75th percentile | $134,680 | $64.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,050 | $82.72 |
| Average (mean) | $114,870 | $55.23 |
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 | $8,629.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,314.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,982.69 |
| Weekly | $1,991.35 |
| Hourly | $49.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Art Director salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $104,570 | 2,560 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $101,480 | 420 |
| Peoria, IL | $87,790 | 30 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Interior Designer | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Floral Designer | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Designers, All Other | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Craft Artist | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for art directors in Illinois is $103,550 a year, or $49.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of art directors in Illinois earn at least $172,050 a year. The top 25% earn $134,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,200 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $79,820 or less.
How many art directors work in Illinois?
About 2,960 art directors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.