Art Director salary in Wisconsin
Art Directors in Wisconsin earn a median of $81,130 a year ($39.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,850 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $114,850. Wisconsin ranks 31st of 46 states for art directors pay. There are 0.25 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $95,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 25th percentile | $66,240 | $31.85 |
| Median | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| 75th percentile | $106,260 | $51.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Average (mean) | $95,070 | $45.71 |
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 | $6,760.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,380.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,120.38 |
| Weekly | $1,560.19 |
| Hourly | $39.00 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $119,020 | 780 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $91,260 | 260 |
| Madison, WI | $83,650 | 130 |
| Green Bay, WI | $79,640 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Interior Designer | $62,740 | $30.17 |
| Floral Designer | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Craft Artist | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Fashion Designer | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $53,350 | $25.65 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,800 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Editor | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,390 | $30.48 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for art directors in Wisconsin is $81,130 a year, or $39.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of art directors in Wisconsin earn at least $131,850 a year. The top 25% earn $106,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,470 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $66,240 or less.
How many art directors work in Wisconsin?
About 730 art directors are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.