Art Director salary in Tennessee
Art Directors in Tennessee earn a median of $89,860 a year ($43.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,130 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $114,850. Tennessee ranks 24th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.28 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $108,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| 25th percentile | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| Median | $89,860 | $43.20 |
| 75th percentile | $125,590 | $60.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,130 | $82.76 |
| Average (mean) | $108,720 | $52.27 |
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 | $7,488.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,744.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,456.15 |
| Weekly | $1,728.08 |
| Hourly | $43.20 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $101,470 | 520 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $89,860 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $79,500 | 90 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $76,110 | 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Floral Designer | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $71,230 | $34.25 |
| Designers, All Other | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $83,080 | $39.94 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $43,030 | $20.69 |
| Craft Artist | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for art directors in Tennessee is $89,860 a year, or $43.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of art directors in Tennessee earn at least $172,130 a year. The top 25% earn $125,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,530 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $71,590 or less.
How many art directors work in Tennessee?
About 930 art directors are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.