Art Director salary in South Carolina
Art Directors in South Carolina earn a median of $87,990 a year ($42.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $180,030 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $114,850. South Carolina ranks 27th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.24 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $105,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| 25th percentile | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Median | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| 75th percentile | $129,040 | $62.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,030 | $86.55 |
| Average (mean) | $105,970 | $50.95 |
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 | $7,332.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,666.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,384.23 |
| Weekly | $1,692.12 |
| Hourly | $42.30 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $93,160 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $90,000 | n/a |
| Columbia, SC | $87,990 | 130 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $87,610 | 120 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $85,510 | 40 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Interior Designer | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Floral Designer | $32,000 | $15.38 |
| Craft Artist | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Designers, All Other | $83,980 | $40.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,950 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,030 | $26.94 |
| Technical Writer | $82,540 | $39.68 |
| Photographer | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| Writers and Authors | $51,920 | $24.96 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for art directors in South Carolina is $87,990 a year, or $42.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $180,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of art directors in South Carolina earn at least $180,030 a year. The top 25% earn $129,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,380 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $80,090 or less.
How many art directors work in South Carolina?
About 550 art directors are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.