Art Director salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Art Directors in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $73,960 a year ($35.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,950 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 3% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $76,160. 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 $80,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| 25th percentile | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Median | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| 75th percentile | $95,460 | $45.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,950 | $57.19 |
| Average (mean) | $80,730 | $38.81 |
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 | $6,163.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,081.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,844.62 |
| Weekly | $1,422.31 |
| Hourly | $35.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $97,360 | 320 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $87,570 | 130 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| Interior Designer | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Floral Designer | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,210 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $55,460 | $26.67 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $66,320 | $31.89 |
| Editor | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Photographer | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Technical Writer | $68,900 | $33.12 |
| Writers and Authors | $51,170 | $24.60 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for art directors in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $73,960 a year, or $35.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of art directors in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $118,950 a year. The top 25% earn $95,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,690 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $59,240 or less.
How many art directors work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 50 art directors are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.