Art Director Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Art Directors in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$80,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-30% vs US median
US median $114,850
State Rank
#32 of 46
280 employed here

How much does an Art Director make in Iowa?

An Art Director working in Iowa earns a median salary of $80,940 per year, or about $38.91 per hour. That is 30% below the national median of $114,850 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $62,990 while the top 10% make $126,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $70,770 and $106,910 a year.

Art Director salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,990$30.28
25th percentile (early career)$70,770$34.02
50th percentile (median)$80,940$38.91
75th percentile (experienced)$106,910$51.40
90th percentile (top earners)$126,990$61.05

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 32nd out of 46 states and territories for Art Director pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$149,320
2California$137,780
3New York$137,320
4Oregon$133,840
5New Hampshire$132,000

Working as an Art Director in Iowa

Nationally, about 53,000 people work as Art Directors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($80,940) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Art Director make in Iowa?
The median Art Director salary in Iowa is $80,940 per year, or about $38.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,990 at the entry level to $126,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Art Directors about 30% less than the national median of $114,850. Iowa ranks 32nd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Art Directors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,940 a year. About 280 Art Directors are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Art Director salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.