Art Directors Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a art directors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $122,500/year ($58.9/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $207K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $112,592 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 43.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $123K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About art directors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level art directors (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K.Top earners bring in $207K or more - a $149K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do art directors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $122,500 a year - that works out to about $58.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,130, and experienced art directors can clear $206,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,246/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a art directors salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median art directors salary is worth about $112,592 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.