Art Director salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Art Directors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $101,480 a year ($48.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,040 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $100,940. There are 0.32 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $114,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,730 | $31.60 |
| 25th percentile | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| Median | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| 75th percentile | $128,300 | $61.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,040 | $81.27 |
| Average (mean) | $114,080 | $54.84 |
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 | $8,456.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,228.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,903.08 |
| Weekly | $1,951.54 |
| Hourly | $48.79 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $104,570 | 2,560 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $88,610 | n/a |
| Peoria, IL | $87,790 | 30 |
| Columbia, MO | $80,060 | 30 |
| Springfield, MO | $70,690 | 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 |
See Art Director pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Interior Designer | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Floral Designer | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $55,730 | $26.79 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Designers, All Other | $52,010 | $25.01 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,970 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| Producers and Directors | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,360 | — |
| Photographer | $39,170 | $18.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for art directors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $101,480 a year, or $48.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of art directors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $169,040 a year. The top 25% earn $128,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,730 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $83,680 or less.
How many art directors work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 420 art directors are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.