Art Directors Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$109,907
- 25th Percentile — Junior$154,945
- 50th Percentile — Median$174,572
- 75th Percentile — Senior$256,280
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$297,929
Half of Art Directors in District of Columbia earn more than $174,572. The top 10% make $297,929 or more, while entry-level workers start around $109,907.
Art Directors in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for Art Directors pay, at $196,749 per year (52.0% above the U.S. average of $129,440).
- 310 people work as Art Directors in District of Columbia — 0.6% of all U.S. Art Directors jobs.
- Location quotient 1.30: Art Directors jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $109,907; the top 10% earn over $297,929.
- Hourly equivalent: $94.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among creative jobs in District of Columbia, News Analysts Reporters and Journalists pays the most ($174,360).
Art Directors Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Art Directors here earn $196,749 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $196,749 is roughly equivalent to $129,440 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($159,200), California ($156,060), Oregon ($152,490) are the closest alternatives for Art Directors weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Creative Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $174,360/yr District of Columbia 11.4% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $171,562/yr District of Columbia 12.8% vs this role
- Fashion Designers $138,670/yr District of Columbia 29.5% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $128,890/yr District of Columbia 34.5% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $120,200/yr District of Columbia 38.9% vs this role
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys $119,654/yr District of Columbia 39.2% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $115,040/yr District of Columbia 41.5% vs this role
- Editors $109,290/yr District of Columbia 44.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Art Directors salary in District of Columbia?
The average Art Directors salary in District of Columbia is $196,749 per year (median $174,572), which is 52.0% above the national average of $129,440.
How does District of Columbia rank for Art Directors pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($196,749/yr).
How much do entry-level Art Directors make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Art Directors in District of Columbia earn about $109,907 per year and the 25th percentile is $154,945.
How much do Art Directors make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $94.59 per hour, based on the $196,749 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Art Directors work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 310 Art Directors jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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