Art Director salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Art Directors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $101,470 a year ($48.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,200 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 13% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $89,860. There are 0.47 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $121,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| 25th percentile | $76,910 | $36.98 |
| Median | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| 75th percentile | $136,180 | $65.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $186,200 | $89.52 |
| Average (mean) | $121,210 | $58.28 |
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 | $8,455.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,227.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,902.69 |
| Weekly | $1,951.35 |
| Hourly | $48.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $89,860 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $79,500 | 90 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $76,110 | 40 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $60,370 | $29.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Interior Designer | $69,770 | $33.55 |
| Floral Designer | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Designers, All Other | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Editor | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,270 | $30.42 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for art directors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $101,470 a year, or $48.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of art directors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $186,200 a year. The top 25% earn $136,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,340 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $76,910 or less.
How many art directors work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 520 art directors are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.