Art Director salary in Missouri
Art Directors in Missouri earn a median of $100,940 a year ($48.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,340 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $114,850. Missouri ranks 15th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.27 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $108,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| 25th percentile | $79,030 | $37.99 |
| Median | $100,940 | $48.53 |
| 75th percentile | $126,360 | $60.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,340 | $78.05 |
| Average (mean) | $108,630 | $52.22 |
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 | $8,411.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,205.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,882.31 |
| Weekly | $1,941.15 |
| Hourly | $48.53 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $101,480 | 420 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $88,610 | n/a |
| Columbia, MO | $80,060 | 30 |
| Springfield, MO | $70,690 | 40 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $56,750 | $27.28 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Floral Designer | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Interior Designer | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Craft Artist | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Designers, All Other | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $65,470 | $31.48 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,790 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $66,460 | $31.95 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for art directors in Missouri is $100,940 a year, or $48.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Missouri?
The top 10% of art directors in Missouri earn at least $162,340 a year. The top 25% earn $126,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,590 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $79,030 or less.
How many art directors work in Missouri?
About 780 art directors are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.