Art Director salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Art Directors in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $89,860 a year ($43.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,340 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $89,860. There are 0.17 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $99,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| 25th percentile | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Median | $89,860 | $43.20 |
| 75th percentile | $123,500 | $59.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,340 | $71.80 |
| Average (mean) | $99,340 | $47.76 |
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 | $7,488.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,744.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,456.15 |
| Weekly | $1,728.08 |
| Hourly | $43.20 |
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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $79,500 | 90 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $76,570 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $76,110 | 40 |
| Jackson, MS | $71,120 | 30 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $69,570 | 70 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $31,160 | $14.98 |
| Graphic Designer | $59,000 | $28.37 |
| Interior Designer | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Floral Designer | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $67,830 | $32.61 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $69,700 | $33.51 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,440 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Producers and Directors | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Writers and Authors | $58,480 | $28.12 |
| Editor | $56,420 | $27.13 |
| Photographer | $38,510 | $18.51 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,560 | $30.08 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for art directors in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $89,860 a year, or $43.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of art directors in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $149,340 a year. The top 25% earn $123,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,830 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $74,990 or less.
How many art directors work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 100 art directors are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.