Art Directors Salary in California
The median pay for a art directors in California is $133,930/year ($64.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $226K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $134K get you in California?
About art directors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level art directors (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $134K.Top earners bring in $226K or more - a $150K spread from bottom to top.
Art Directors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $148K | +34% | 1,040 |
| Washington | $143K | +29% | 1,740 |
| New York | $137K | +23% | 8,300 |
| California | $134K | +21% | 12,540 |
| Georgia | $132K | +19% | 1,050 |
| Massachusetts | $131K | +18% | 1,810 |
| District of Columbia | $127K | +14% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $126K | +13% | 1,620 |
| Hawaii | $108K | -2% | 40 |
| New Hampshire | $102K | -8% | 120 |
| Connecticut | $101K | -9% | 680 |
| Illinois | $101K | -9% | 2,750 |
| Maryland | $100K | -10% | 430 |
| Indiana | $99K | -11% | 320 |
| Minnesota | $98K | -11% | 1,120 |
Track art directors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do art directors make in California?
The median is $133,930 a year - that works out to about $64.39 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,470, and experienced art directors can clear $226,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $134K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,808/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 28.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a art directors salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median art directors salary is worth about $133,930 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do art directors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.