Art Director salary in North Carolina
Art Directors in North Carolina earn a median of $90,000 a year ($43.27 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $56,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,740 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $114,850. North Carolina ranks 23rd of 46 states for art directors pay. The average (mean) salary is $95,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| 25th percentile | $82,340 | $39.59 |
| Median | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| 75th percentile | $99,690 | $47.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,740 | $68.62 |
| Average (mean) | $95,460 | $45.89 |
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 | $7,500 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,750 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,461.54 |
| Weekly | $1,730.77 |
| Hourly | $43.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Art Director salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $103,990 | 200 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $93,740 | 100 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,270 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $90,000 | n/a |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $85,610 | 100 |
| Wilmington, NC | $84,730 | 40 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $84,100 | 90 |
| Asheville, NC | $72,710 | 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Floral Designer | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Fashion Designer | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $88,350 | $42.48 |
| Designers, All Other | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for art directors in North Carolina is $90,000 a year, or $43.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of art directors in North Carolina earn at least $142,740 a year. The top 25% earn $99,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,460 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $82,340 or less.