Art Director Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$121,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$58.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $114,850
State Rank
#8 of 46
650 employed here

How much does an Art Director make in Washington?

An Art Director working in Washington earns a median salary of $121,170 per year, or about $58.25 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $114,850 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $69,690 while the top 10% make $215,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,790 and $157,140 a year.

Art Director salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$69,690$33.50
25th percentile (early career)$82,790$39.80
50th percentile (median)$121,170$58.25
75th percentile (experienced)$157,140$75.55
90th percentile (top earners)$215,900$103.80

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 8th 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($121,170) 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 Washington?
The median Art Director salary in Washington is $121,170 per year, or about $58.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,690 at the entry level to $215,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Art Directors about 6% more than the national median of $114,850. Washington ranks 8th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Art Directors?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $121,170 a year. About 650 Art Directors are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.