Art Director salary in Rhode Island
Art Directors in Rhode Island earn a median of $72,550 a year ($34.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,000 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $114,850. Rhode Island ranks 40th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.19 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $95,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| 25th percentile | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Median | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| 75th percentile | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,000 | $93.27 |
| Average (mean) | $95,580 | $45.95 |
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 | $6,045.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,022.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,790.38 |
| Weekly | $1,395.19 |
| Hourly | $34.88 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $81,820 | 120 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| Interior Designer | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Floral Designer | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $101,140 | $48.62 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $80,040 | $38.48 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $53,630 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,540 | $37.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $84,250 | $40.51 |
| Editor | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Photographer | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,070 | $30.80 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,570 | $35.85 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for art directors in Rhode Island is $72,550 a year, or $34.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of art directors in Rhode Island earn at least $194,000 a year. The top 25% earn $107,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,730 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $66,250 or less.
How many art directors work in Rhode Island?
About 90 art directors are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.