Art Director salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Art Directors in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $165,210 a year ($79.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $277,730 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 20% higher than the California statewide median of $137,780. There are 1.0 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $169,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,460 | $42.53 |
| 25th percentile | $122,350 | $58.82 |
| Median | $165,210 | $79.43 |
| 75th percentile | $208,960 | $100.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $277,730 | $133.52 |
| Average (mean) | $169,940 | $81.70 |
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 | $13,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,883.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,354.23 |
| Weekly | $3,177.12 |
| Hourly | $79.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $165,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $170,140 | 600 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $137,560 | 6,590 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $126,410 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $126,050 | 630 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $123,420 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $121,920 | 100 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $110,180 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $109,500 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $109,420 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $106,390 | 310 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $104,360 | 320 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $92,050 | $44.25 |
| Interior Designer | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $136,770 | $65.76 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $55,960 | $26.91 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Floral Designer | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| Fashion Designer | $102,370 | $49.22 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $126,470 | $60.80 |
| Designers, All Other | $103,040 | $49.54 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $109,120 | $52.46 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $54,770 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $130,640 | $62.81 |
| Editor | $102,940 | $49.49 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for art directors in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $165,210 a year, or $79.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $277,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of art directors in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $277,730 a year. The top 25% earn $208,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,460 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $122,350 or less.
How many art directors work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 2,390 art directors are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.