Art Director Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$137,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$66.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $114,850
State Rank
#3 of 46
8,720 employed here

How much does an Art Director make in New York?

An Art Director working in New York earns a median salary of $137,320 per year, or about $66.02 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $114,850 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $80,060 while the top 10% make $280,320 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,750 and $198,330 a year.

Art Director salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$80,060$38.49
25th percentile (early career)$105,750$50.84
50th percentile (median)$137,320$66.02
75th percentile (experienced)$198,330$95.35
90th percentile (top earners)$280,320$134.77

How New York compares

New York ranks 3rd 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 New York

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 New York pay ($137,320) 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 New York?
The median Art Director salary in New York is $137,320 per year, or about $66.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,060 at the entry level to $280,320 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Art Directors about 20% more than the national median of $114,850. New York ranks 3rd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Art Directors?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $137,320 a year. About 8,720 Art Directors are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.