Art Director salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Art Directors in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $96,420 a year ($46.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,560 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $97,450. There are 0.16 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $95,440, close to the median.
Pay range for art directors in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,320 | $29.96 |
| 25th percentile | $74,370 | $35.75 |
| Median | $96,420 | $46.36 |
| 75th percentile | $104,170 | $50.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,560 | $66.61 |
| Average (mean) | $95,440 | $45.88 |
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 | $8,035 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,017.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,708.46 |
| Weekly | $1,854.23 |
| Hourly | $46.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $105,260 | 780 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $101,940 | 60 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $95,310 | 60 |
| Lancaster, PA | $83,060 | 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 |
See Art Director pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $57,830 | $27.81 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| Interior Designer | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Floral Designer | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| Fashion Designer | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Editor | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Photographer | $42,530 | $20.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for art directors in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $96,420 a year, or $46.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of art directors in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $138,560 a year. The top 25% earn $104,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,320 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $74,370 or less.
How many art directors work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 180 art directors are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.