Art Director salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Art Directors in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $87,570 a year ($42.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,070 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 15% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $76,160. There are 0.19 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $92,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| 25th percentile | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Median | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| 75th percentile | $121,940 | $58.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,070 | $72.63 |
| Average (mean) | $92,010 | $44.24 |
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 | $7,297.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,648.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,368.08 |
| Weekly | $1,684.04 |
| Hourly | $42.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,570 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $105,270 | 160 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $104,570 | 2,560 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $97,360 | 320 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $73,960 | 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,340 | $27.57 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Interior Designer | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Floral Designer | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $34,780 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Photographer | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,840 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for art directors in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $87,570 a year, or $42.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of art directors in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $151,070 a year. The top 25% earn $121,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,180 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $61,270 or less.
How many art directors work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 130 art directors are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.