Art Director salary in Washington
Art Directors in Washington earn a median of $121,170 a year ($58.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,900 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $114,850. Washington ranks 8th 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 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $130,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,690 | $33.50 |
| 25th percentile | $82,790 | $39.80 |
| Median | $121,170 | $58.25 |
| 75th percentile | $157,140 | $75.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,900 | $103.80 |
| Average (mean) | $130,550 | $62.76 |
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 | $10,097.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,048.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,660.38 |
| Weekly | $2,330.19 |
| Hourly | $58.25 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $145,410 | 880 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $124,610 | 520 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $73,850 | 30 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $133,480 | $64.17 |
| Floral Designer | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Designers, All Other | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $72,430 | $34.82 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Craft Artist | $44,120 | $21.21 |
| Fashion Designer | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for art directors in Washington is $121,170 a year, or $58.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Washington?
The top 10% of art directors in Washington earn at least $215,900 a year. The top 25% earn $157,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,690 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $82,790 or less.
How many art directors work in Washington?
About 650 art directors are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.