Art Director salary in New York
Art Directors in New York earn a median of $137,320 a year ($66.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $280,320 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $114,850. New York ranks 3rd of 46 states for art directors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.90 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $159,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| 25th percentile | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Median | $137,320 | $66.02 |
| 75th percentile | $198,330 | $95.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $280,320 | $134.77 |
| Average (mean) | $159,200 | $76.54 |
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 | $11,443.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,721.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,281.54 |
| Weekly | $2,640.77 |
| Hourly | $66.02 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $142,990 | 8,980 |
| Syracuse, NY | $118,560 | 60 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $117,110 | 60 |
| Rochester, NY | $102,070 | 190 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $101,300 | n/a |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $95,770 | 140 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Fashion Designer | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Interior Designer | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,640 | $43.10 |
| Floral Designer | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $96,770 | $46.52 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Designers, All Other | $86,030 | $41.36 |
| Craft Artist | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for art directors in New York is $137,320 a year, or $66.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $280,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in New York?
The top 10% of art directors in New York earn at least $280,320 a year. The top 25% earn $198,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,060 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $105,750 or less.
How many art directors work in New York?
About 8,720 art directors are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.