Art Director salary in Knoxville, TN
Art Directors in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $79,500 a year ($38.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,820 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 12% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $89,860. There are 0.22 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $93,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| 25th percentile | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| Median | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| 75th percentile | $106,380 | $51.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,820 | $68.19 |
| Average (mean) | $93,500 | $44.95 |
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 | $6,625 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,312.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,057.69 |
| Weekly | $1,528.85 |
| Hourly | $38.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $101,470 | 520 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $89,860 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $76,110 | 40 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Interior Designer | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Floral Designer | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,200 | $33.75 |
| Designers, All Other | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,670 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,660 | $28.20 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| Editor | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $61,020 | $29.34 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for art directors in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $79,500 a year, or $38.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of art directors in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $141,820 a year. The top 25% earn $106,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,440 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $62,060 or less.
How many art directors work in Knoxville, TN?
About 90 art directors are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.