Art Director salary in Madison, WI
Art Directors in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $83,650 a year ($40.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,790 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $81,130. There are 0.31 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| 25th percentile | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Median | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| 75th percentile | $106,820 | $51.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,790 | $62.88 |
| Average (mean) | $99,190 | $47.69 |
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 | $6,970.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,485.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,217.31 |
| Weekly | $1,608.65 |
| Hourly | $40.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $119,020 | 780 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $91,260 | 260 |
| Green Bay, WI | $79,640 | 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 |
See Art Director pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Interior Designer | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Floral Designer | $35,160 | $16.91 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Fashion Designer | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,750 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Editor | $66,920 | $32.17 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Technical Writer | $86,180 | $41.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for art directors in the Madison, WI metro area is $83,650 a year, or $40.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of art directors in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $130,790 a year. The top 25% earn $106,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,630 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $75,800 or less.
How many art directors work in Madison, WI?
About 130 art directors are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.