Art Director salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Art Directors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $91,260 a year ($43.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,900 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 12% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $81,130. There are 0.32 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| 25th percentile | $72,890 | $35.04 |
| Median | $91,260 | $43.87 |
| 75th percentile | $114,550 | $55.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,900 | $60.53 |
| Average (mean) | $99,250 | $47.72 |
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 | $7,605 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,802.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,510 |
| Weekly | $1,755 |
| Hourly | $43.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $91,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $119,020 | 780 |
| Madison, WI | $83,650 | 130 |
| Green Bay, WI | $79,640 | 30 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,070 | $19.27 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Interior Designer | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Floral Designer | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,520 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Editor | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Technical Writer | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Photographer | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,020 | $25.01 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for art directors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $91,260 a year, or $43.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of art directors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $125,900 a year. The top 25% earn $114,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,770 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $72,890 or less.
How many art directors work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 260 art directors are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.