Art Director salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Art Directors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $97,460 a year ($46.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,070 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 1% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $98,400. There are 0.17 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $105,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| 25th percentile | $74,790 | $35.96 |
| Median | $97,460 | $46.86 |
| 75th percentile | $124,120 | $59.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,070 | $76.48 |
| Average (mean) | $105,160 | $50.56 |
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 | $8,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,060.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,748.46 |
| Weekly | $1,874.23 |
| Hourly | $46.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Art Director salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,990 | 820 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $105,260 | 780 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $79,820 | $38.37 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $80,280 | $38.59 |
| Floral Designer | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Designers, All Other | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $90,050 | $43.30 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Technical Writer | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for art directors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $97,460 a year, or $46.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of art directors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $159,070 a year. The top 25% earn $124,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,310 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $74,790 or less.
How many art directors work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 230 art directors are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.