Art Director salary in Virginia
Art Directors in Virginia earn a median of $101,150 a year ($48.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,010 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $114,850. Virginia ranks 14th of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.16 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $107,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| 25th percentile | $83,480 | $40.14 |
| Median | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| 75th percentile | $125,120 | $60.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| Average (mean) | $107,540 | $51.70 |
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 | $8,429.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,214.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,890.38 |
| Weekly | $1,945.19 |
| Hourly | $48.63 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,990 | 820 |
| Richmond, VA | $99,610 | 160 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,270 | 80 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Interior Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Floral Designer | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,510 | $39.19 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Fashion Designer | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for art directors in Virginia is $101,150 a year, or $48.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Virginia?
The top 10% of art directors in Virginia earn at least $165,010 a year. The top 25% earn $125,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,010 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $83,480 or less.
How many art directors work in Virginia?
About 670 art directors are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.