California ranks 4th of 46 states and D.C. for art directors pay, trailing top-paying Oregon ($148,410) by $14,480 — a 11% gap.
Art Directors are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 2.13 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 2.13× the national share.
California employs roughly 24.9% of all art directors in the country (12,540 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $76,470 | $36.76 |
| 25th percentile | $102,570 | $49.31 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $133,930 | $64.39 |
| 75th percentile | $175,490 | $84.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $226,370 | $108.83 |
| Mean (average) | $150,260 | $72.24 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $133,930 | n/a |
| Oregon | $148,410 | +11% |
| Washington | $143,490 | +7% |
| New York | $136,610 | +2% |
| Georgia | $131,620 | -2% |
| Massachusetts | $131,050 | -2% |
| District of Columbia | $126,520 | -6% |
| New Jersey | $126,030 | -6% |
| Hawaii | $108,420 | -19% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $133,580 | 7,570 |
| Sales Engineers | $134,990 | 6,980 |
| Sales Managers | $132,440 | 108,120 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $131,430 | 24,190 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $136,500 | 68,800 |
| Data Scientists | $136,800 | 36,850 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Art Directors salary in California?
The mean art directors salary in California is $150,260 per year. The median (middle) salary is $133,930 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Art Directors in California?
Entry-level art directorss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $76,470 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $102,570 per year.
What is the highest Art Directors salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $226,370 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $175,490 per year.
How does the California Art Directors salary compare to the national average?
The median art directors salary in California is $133,930, which is +21% above national average of $111,040.