Art Director salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Art Directors in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $95,390 a year ($45.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,040 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 10% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $86,660. There are 0.34 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $103,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| 25th percentile | $72,430 | $34.82 |
| Median | $95,390 | $45.86 |
| 75th percentile | $123,470 | $59.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,040 | $83.19 |
| Average (mean) | $103,310 | $49.67 |
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 | $7,949.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,974.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,668.85 |
| Weekly | $1,834.42 |
| Hourly | $45.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $101,880 | 40 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $83,050 | 90 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $81,500 | 60 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,970 | $18.26 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $108,180 | $52.01 |
| Interior Designer | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| Floral Designer | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Craft Artist | $25,960 | $12.48 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Designers, All Other | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $51,340 | $24.68 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,970 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,100 | $31.78 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $62,910 | $30.24 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for art directors in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $95,390 a year, or $45.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of art directors in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $173,040 a year. The top 25% earn $123,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,700 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $72,430 or less.
How many art directors work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 650 art directors are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.