Art Director salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Art Directors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $105,990 a year ($50.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,330 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $114,850. There are 0.26 art directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $111,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for art directors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,360 | $27.10 |
| 25th percentile | $80,530 | $38.72 |
| Median | $105,990 | $50.96 |
| 75th percentile | $130,990 | $62.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,330 | $80.93 |
| Average (mean) | $111,400 | $53.56 |
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 | $8,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,076.54 |
| Weekly | $2,038.27 |
| Hourly | $50.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $105,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $105,260 | 780 |
| Richmond, VA | $99,610 | 160 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $97,460 | 230 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,270 | 80 |
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Interior Designer | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,320 | $21.79 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $125,050 | $60.12 |
| Floral Designer | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $82,960 | $39.88 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $92,760 | $44.60 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $85,660 | $41.18 |
| Fashion Designer | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $56,560 | $27.19 |
| Craft Artist | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for art directors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $105,990 a year, or $50.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid art directors make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of art directors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $168,330 a year. The top 25% earn $130,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for art directors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,360 a year, and a quarter of art directors earn $80,530 or less.
How many art directors work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 820 art directors are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.