Art Director salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Art Directors in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $90,000 a year ($43.27 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $70,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,510 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $90,000. The average (mean) salary is $97,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,420 | $33.86 |
| 25th percentile | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Median | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| 75th percentile | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,510 | $64.67 |
| Average (mean) | $97,260 | $46.76 |
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 | $7,500 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,750 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,461.54 |
| Weekly | $1,730.77 |
| Hourly | $43.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $103,990 | 200 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $93,740 | 100 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,270 | 80 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $93,160 | 30 |
| Columbia, SC | $87,990 | 130 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $87,610 | 120 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $85,610 | 100 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $85,510 | 40 |
| Wilmington, NC | $84,730 | 40 |
| 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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,760 | $19.11 |
| Graphic Designer | $59,810 | $28.75 |
| Interior Designer | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $83,770 | $40.27 |
| Floral Designer | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Fashion Designer | $82,130 | $39.48 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $56,300 | $27.07 |
| Designers, All Other | $57,230 | $27.52 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $92,340 | $44.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,440 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $74,850 | $35.99 |
| Photographer | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,490 | $23.31 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for art directors in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $90,000 a year, or $43.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of art directors in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $134,510 a year. The top 25% earn $90,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,420 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $90,000 or less.