Art Director salary in Kentucky
Art Directors in Kentucky earn a median of $76,160 a year ($36.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,940 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $114,850. Kentucky ranks 36th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.16 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $80,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| 25th percentile | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Median | $76,160 | $36.61 |
| 75th percentile | $98,320 | $47.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,940 | $58.63 |
| Average (mean) | $80,360 | $38.64 |
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 | $6,346.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,173.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,929.23 |
| Weekly | $1,464.62 |
| Hourly | $36.61 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $97,360 | 320 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $87,570 | 130 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $73,960 | 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Interior Designer | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Floral Designer | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $50,970 | $24.51 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $35,570 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Editor | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for art directors in Kentucky is $76,160 a year, or $36.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of art directors in Kentucky earn at least $121,940 a year. The top 25% earn $98,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,990 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $59,530 or less.
How many art directors work in Kentucky?
About 320 art directors are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.