Art Director salary in New Jersey
Art Directors in New Jersey earn a median of $129,200 a year ($62.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,450 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $114,850. New Jersey ranks 7th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.43 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $136,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,700 | $42.17 |
| 25th percentile | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Median | $129,200 | $62.12 |
| 75th percentile | $163,540 | $78.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,450 | $93.97 |
| Average (mean) | $136,160 | $65.46 |
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 | $10,766.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,383.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,969.23 |
| Weekly | $2,484.62 |
| Hourly | $62.12 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $142,990 | 8,980 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $121,540 | 90 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $107,770 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $105,260 | 780 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $101,940 | 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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | $35.59 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Floral Designer | $45,190 | $21.73 |
| Designers, All Other | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Fashion Designer | $101,610 | $48.85 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,500 | $41.10 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Producers and Directors | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Editor | $81,680 | $39.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for art directors in New Jersey is $129,200 a year, or $62.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of art directors in New Jersey earn at least $195,450 a year. The top 25% earn $163,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,700 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $101,450 or less.
How many art directors work in New Jersey?
About 1,840 art directors are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.