Art Directors Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $106,500 -4.1% vs national
Median hourly $51.20
10th percentile $68,820
90th percentile $201,600
Employed locally 30
National median $111,040

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Art Directors
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $68,820
    25th
    $75,240
    50th (median)
    $106,500
    75th
    $159,020
    90th
    $201,600

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Art Directors salary vs area income 97% Median Art Directors salary is 3% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Art Directors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $170,760
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $158,690
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $155,350
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $153,890
    Oregon $148,410
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $143,490

    Nearby metros — Art Directors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $170,760
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $158,690
    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

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $47,060
    Public Relations Specialists $73,830
    Graphic Designers $64,910
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $39,600
    Producers and Directors $84,660
    Commercial and Industrial Designers $132,230

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Art Directors make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Art Directors in Santa Cruz, CA is $51.20, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $116.91 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Art Directors salaries?

    The median Art Directors salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 4.1% below 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Art Directors (10th percentile) earn around $68,820 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,240.