Art Director salary in Massachusetts
Art Directors in Massachusetts earn a median of $149,320 a year ($71.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,270 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $114,850. Massachusetts ranks 1st of 46 states for art directors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.51 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $147,040, close to the median.
Pay range for art directors in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| 25th percentile | $101,290 | $48.70 |
| Median | $149,320 | $71.79 |
| 75th percentile | $169,710 | $81.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,270 | $104.94 |
| Average (mean) | $147,040 | $70.69 |
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 | $12,443.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,221.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,743.08 |
| Weekly | $2,871.54 |
| Hourly | $71.79 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $151,820 | 1,550 |
| Worcester, MA | $131,240 | 100 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $81,820 | 120 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Interior Designer | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $101,720 | $48.90 |
| Floral Designer | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Fashion Designer | $103,520 | $49.77 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $74,540 | $35.84 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $94,890 | $45.62 |
| Craft Artist | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $55,130 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Editor | $83,170 | $39.99 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for art directors in Massachusetts is $149,320 a year, or $71.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of art directors in Massachusetts earn at least $218,270 a year. The top 25% earn $169,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,470 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $101,290 or less.
How many art directors work in Massachusetts?
About 1,850 art directors are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.