Art Directors Salary in California
Art Directors in California earn a median annual wage of $137,780 —20.0% above the national median of $114,850. That ranks CA #2 of 46 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 2.00× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for art directors
All 46 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $149,320 | $71.79 | 1,850 | 1.49 |
| 2 | California | $137,780 | $66.24 | 12,430 | 2.00 |
| 3 | New York | $137,320 | $66.02 | 8,720 | 2.64 |
| 4 | Oregon | $133,840 | $64.34 | 1,040 | 1.55 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $132,000 | $63.46 | 160 | 0.70 |
| 6 | Vermont | $129,260 | $62.14 | 80 | 0.82 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $129,200 | $62.12 | 1,840 | 1.26 |
| 8 | Washington | $121,170 | $58.25 | 650 | 0.54 |
| 9 | Georgia | $110,430 | $53.09 | 1,420 | 0.85 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $109,700 | $52.74 | 920 | 0.92 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $85,030 | $74,750 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | $47,320 |
| Graphic Designers | $75,130 | $62,960 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $39,390 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $90,360 |
| Editors | $98,030 | $77,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do art directors make in California?
The median annual wage for art directors in California is $137,780, or $66.24 per hour. That is 20.0% above the national median of $114,850.
What is the entry-level art directors salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $81,500 per year ($39.18/hour). The 25th percentile is $106,470.
How many people work as art directors in California?
About 12,430 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for art directors?
California ranks #2 of 46 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 2.00x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays art directors the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median wage at $149,320 per year, followed by California ($137,780) and New York ($137,320).