Art Directors Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $158,690 +42.9% vs national
Median hourly $76.29
10th percentile $88,390
90th percentile —
Employed locally 2,050
National median $111,040

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Art Directors
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San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $88,390
    25th
    $114,930
    50th (median)
    $158,690
    75th
    $206,840

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Art Directors salary vs area income 119% Median Art Directors salary is 19% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Art Directors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $170,760
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $155,350
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $153,890
    Oregon $148,410
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $143,490
    Washington $143,490

    Nearby metros — Art Directors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $170,760
    California $133,930
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $133,550
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $132,340
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $122,500
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $114,300

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $98,460
    Coaches and Scouts $47,260
    Producers and Directors $122,210
    Graphic Designers $89,490
    Media and Communication Workers, All Other $99,420
    Editors $99,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Art Directors make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Art Directors in San Francisco, CA is $76.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $133.52 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Art Directors salaries?

    The median Art Directors salary in San Francisco, CA is 42.9% above the national median of $111,040. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Art Directors in San Francisco?

    Entry-level Art Directors (10th percentile) earn around $88,390 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $114,930.