Art Director salary in Texas
Art Directors in Texas earn a median of $88,270 a year ($42.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,130 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $114,850. Texas ranks 26th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.18 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $101,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,730 | $26.79 |
| 25th percentile | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Median | $88,270 | $42.44 |
| 75th percentile | $108,320 | $52.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,130 | $82.75 |
| Average (mean) | $101,580 | $48.84 |
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 | $7,355.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,677.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,395 |
| Weekly | $1,697.50 |
| Hourly | $42.44 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $100,690 | 400 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $91,570 | 310 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $87,810 | 1,210 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $81,730 | 90 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Interior Designer | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Floral Designer | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Fashion Designer | $40,040 | $19.25 |
| Craft Artist | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $56,930 | $27.37 |
| Designers, All Other | $41,590 | $20.00 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $78,930 | $37.95 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,510 | — |
| Interpreters and Translators | $47,510 | $22.84 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for art directors in Texas is $88,270 a year, or $42.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Texas?
The top 10% of art directors in Texas earn at least $172,130 a year. The top 25% earn $108,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,730 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $75,510 or less.
How many art directors work in Texas?
About 2,480 art directors are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.