Art Director salary in Maryland
Art Directors in Maryland earn a median of $98,400 a year ($47.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,690 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $114,850. Maryland ranks 19th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.21 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $110,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| 25th percentile | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Median | $98,400 | $47.31 |
| 75th percentile | $125,440 | $60.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,690 | $84.47 |
| Average (mean) | $110,790 | $53.27 |
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 | $8,200 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,100 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,784.62 |
| Weekly | $1,892.31 |
| Hourly | $47.31 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,990 | 820 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $105,260 | 780 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $97,460 | 230 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Interior Designer | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Floral Designer | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $85,830 | $41.27 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,590 | — |
| Editor | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Technical Writer | $100,990 | $48.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for art directors in Maryland is $98,400 a year, or $47.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Maryland?
The top 10% of art directors in Maryland earn at least $175,690 a year. The top 25% earn $125,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,160 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $80,470 or less.
How many art directors work in Maryland?
About 570 art directors are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.