Art Director salary in Iowa
Art Directors in Iowa earn a median of $80,940 a year ($38.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,990 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $114,850. Iowa ranks 32nd of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.18 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $91,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| 25th percentile | $70,770 | $34.02 |
| Median | $80,940 | $38.92 |
| 75th percentile | $106,910 | $51.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,990 | $61.06 |
| Average (mean) | $91,220 | $43.86 |
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 | $6,745 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,372.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,113.08 |
| Weekly | $1,556.54 |
| Hourly | $38.92 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $103,120 | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $90,000 | 130 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Interior Designer | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,420 | $33.85 |
| Floral Designer | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $39,550 | $19.01 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Technical Writer | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for art directors in Iowa is $80,940 a year, or $38.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of art directors in Iowa earn at least $126,990 a year. The top 25% earn $106,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,990 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $70,770 or less.
How many art directors work in Iowa?
About 280 art directors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.