Art Director salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Art Directors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $124,610 a year ($59.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,120 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 3% higher than the Washington statewide median of $121,170. There are 0.25 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $133,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,610 | $36.83 |
| 25th percentile | $86,730 | $41.70 |
| Median | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| 75th percentile | $157,140 | $75.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,120 | $103.91 |
| Average (mean) | $133,830 | $64.34 |
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 | $10,384.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,192.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,792.69 |
| Weekly | $2,396.35 |
| Hourly | $59.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $124,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $145,410 | 880 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $73,850 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Interior Designer | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Floral Designer | $46,870 | $22.54 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $104,980 | $50.47 |
| Designers, All Other | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $82,580 | $39.70 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| Fashion Designer | $85,220 | $40.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,640 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 | $46.16 |
| Producers and Directors | $86,680 | $41.68 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for art directors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $124,610 a year, or $59.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of art directors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $216,120 a year. The top 25% earn $157,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,610 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $86,730 or less.
How many art directors work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 520 art directors are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.