Art Director salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Art Directors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $121,540 a year ($58.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,600 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $114,850. Pay here is 6% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $129,200. There are 0.36 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $128,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| 25th percentile | $94,070 | $45.23 |
| Median | $121,540 | $58.43 |
| 75th percentile | $155,580 | $74.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,600 | $78.17 |
| Average (mean) | $128,590 | $61.82 |
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 | $10,128.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,064.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,674.62 |
| Weekly | $2,337.31 |
| Hourly | $58.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $121,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $142,990 | 8,980 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $107,770 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $105,260 | 780 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $101,940 | 60 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $71,750 | $34.49 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Interior Designer | $67,310 | $32.36 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Floral Designer | $42,460 | $20.41 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $74,620 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $110,190 | $52.98 |
| Editor | $86,870 | $41.77 |
| Writers and Authors | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $44.96 |
| Technical Writer | $117,130 | $56.31 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,730 | $33.04 |
| Photographer | $43,940 | $21.13 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for art directors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $121,540 a year, or $58.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of art directors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $162,600 a year. The top 25% earn $155,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,230 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $94,070 or less.
How many art directors work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 90 art directors are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.