Art Director salary in Rochester, NY
Art Directors in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $102,070 a year ($49.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,340 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 26% lower than the New York statewide median of $137,320. There are 0.38 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $116,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| 25th percentile | $76,030 | $36.56 |
| Median | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| 75th percentile | $135,010 | $64.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,340 | $86.22 |
| Average (mean) | $116,390 | $55.96 |
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 | $8,505.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,252.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,925.77 |
| Weekly | $1,962.88 |
| Hourly | $49.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $142,990 | 8,980 |
| Syracuse, NY | $118,560 | 60 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $117,110 | 60 |
| 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 |
See Art Director pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $63,530 | $30.54 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,130 | $27.95 |
| Floral Designer | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,850 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Producers and Directors | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $46.86 |
| Editor | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Photographer | $42,260 | $20.32 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for art directors in the Rochester, NY metro area is $102,070 a year, or $49.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of art directors in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $179,340 a year. The top 25% earn $135,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,590 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $76,030 or less.
How many art directors work in Rochester, NY?
About 190 art directors are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.