Art Director salary in Richmond, VA
Art Directors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $99,610 a year ($47.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,990 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 2% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $101,150. There are 0.24 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $102,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| 25th percentile | $83,480 | $40.14 |
| Median | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| 75th percentile | $117,020 | $56.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,990 | $64.90 |
| Average (mean) | $102,330 | $49.20 |
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 | $8,300.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,150.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,831.15 |
| Weekly | $1,915.58 |
| Hourly | $47.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,990 | 820 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,270 | 80 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| Floral Designer | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Editor | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Photographer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,300 | $35.72 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for art directors in the Richmond, VA metro area is $99,610 a year, or $47.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of art directors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $134,990 a year. The top 25% earn $117,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,120 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $83,480 or less.
How many art directors work in Richmond, VA?
About 160 art directors are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.