Art Director salary in Syracuse, NY
Art Directors in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $118,560 a year ($57.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,070 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 14% lower than the New York statewide median of $137,320. There are 0.20 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $125,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| 25th percentile | $89,240 | $42.90 |
| Median | $118,560 | $57.00 |
| 75th percentile | $170,840 | $82.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,070 | $93.78 |
| Average (mean) | $125,230 | $60.21 |
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 | $9,880 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,940 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,560 |
| Weekly | $2,280 |
| Hourly | $57.00 |
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 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $117,110 | 60 |
| Rochester, NY | $102,070 | 190 |
| 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 Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,390 | $25.19 |
| Interior Designer | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $81,650 | $39.26 |
| Floral Designer | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $60,600 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,680 | $38.31 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $140,230 | $67.42 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $57,060 | $27.44 |
| Photographer | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Technical Writer | $84,520 | $40.63 |
| Editor | $69,190 | $33.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for art directors in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $118,560 a year, or $57.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of art directors in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $195,070 a year. The top 25% earn $170,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,990 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $89,240 or less.
How many art directors work in Syracuse, NY?
About 60 art directors are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.