Art Director salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Art Directors in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $151,820 a year ($72.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,270 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $149,320. There are 0.57 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $147,730, close to the median.
Pay range for art directors in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,680 | $38.79 |
| 25th percentile | $105,330 | $50.64 |
| Median | $151,820 | $72.99 |
| 75th percentile | $169,710 | $81.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,270 | $104.94 |
| Average (mean) | $147,730 | $71.02 |
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 | $12,651.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,325.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,839.23 |
| Weekly | $2,919.62 |
| Hourly | $72.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $151,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $131,240 | 100 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $83,010 | 30 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $81,820 | 120 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Interior Designer | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $102,530 | $49.29 |
| Floral Designer | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Fashion Designer | $106,630 | $51.27 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $92,100 | $44.28 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,440 | $39.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $56,220 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Editor | $86,410 | $41.54 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $75,120 | $36.12 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for art directors in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $151,820 a year, or $72.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of art directors in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $218,270 a year. The top 25% earn $169,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,680 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $105,330 or less.
How many art directors work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 1,550 art directors are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.