Art Director salary in Michigan
Art Directors in Michigan earn a median of $86,660 a year ($41.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,880 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $114,850. Michigan ranks 28th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.24 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $98,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,590 | $26.25 |
| 25th percentile | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Median | $86,660 | $41.66 |
| 75th percentile | $121,620 | $58.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,880 | $80.23 |
| Average (mean) | $98,020 | $47.12 |
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 | $7,221.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,610.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,333.08 |
| Weekly | $1,666.54 |
| Hourly | $41.66 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $101,880 | 40 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $95,390 | 650 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $83,050 | 90 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $81,500 | 60 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $57,350 | $27.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $102,160 | $49.12 |
| Interior Designer | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Floral Designer | $35,890 | $17.25 |
| Craft Artist | $25,960 | $12.48 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $63,830 | $30.69 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $50,910 | $24.48 |
| Fashion Designer | $63,430 | $30.50 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,300 | $31.39 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,720 | $31.60 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for art directors in Michigan is $86,660 a year, or $41.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Michigan?
The top 10% of art directors in Michigan earn at least $166,880 a year. The top 25% earn $121,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,590 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $65,000 or less.
How many art directors work in Michigan?
About 1,080 art directors are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.