Art Director salary in Wilmington, NC
Art Directors in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $84,730 a year ($40.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,820 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 6% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $90,000. There are 0.19 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $91,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| 25th percentile | $72,290 | $34.75 |
| Median | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| 75th percentile | $112,280 | $53.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,820 | $74.91 |
| Average (mean) | $91,870 | $44.17 |
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 | $7,060.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,530.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,258.85 |
| Weekly | $1,629.42 |
| Hourly | $40.74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $103,990 | 200 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $93,740 | 100 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,270 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $90,000 | n/a |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $85,610 | 100 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $84,100 | 90 |
| Asheville, NC | $72,710 | 50 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Graphic Designer | $54,720 | $26.31 |
| Interior Designer | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Floral Designer | $39,740 | $19.11 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,960 | — |
| Writers and Authors | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,120 | $29.39 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,880 | $21.09 |
| Photographer | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Technical Writer | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Broadcast Technician | $41,000 | $19.71 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for art directors in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $84,730 a year, or $40.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of art directors in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $155,820 a year. The top 25% earn $112,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,160 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $72,290 or less.
How many art directors work in Wilmington, NC?
About 40 art directors are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.