Art Directors Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $108,130 -2.6% vs national
Median hourly $51.99
10th percentile $66,560
90th percentile $168,830
Employed locally 770
National median $111,040

Compare Art Directors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Art Directors
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,560
    25th
    $90,110
    50th (median)
    $108,130
    75th
    $131,640
    90th
    $168,830

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Art Directors salary vs area income 87% Median Art Directors salary is 13% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $95,370
    Editors $80,990
    Graphic Designers $82,360
    Producers and Directors $96,530
    Coaches and Scouts $54,070
    News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists $99,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Art Directors make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Art Directors in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $51.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.93 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Art Directors salaries?

    The median Art Directors salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 2.6% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Art Directors (10th percentile) earn around $66,560 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $90,110.