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Art Director's Monthly Salary

January 28, 2023 · 3 min read

An art director is a professional who is in charge of the overall visual style and imagery in media such as print, television, and film. They collaborate with a group of designers, illustrators, and photographers to transform initial visual concepts into polished works. To make sure the message and graphics are consistent and powerful, art directors frequently collaborate closely with the creative director and copywriter.


What are the job opportunities for an art director?

Art Directors typically work in the advertising, marketing, and media industries. Some of the places where they work include:

  • Advertising agencies: Art Directors work with teams of copywriters, designers, and other creative professionals to develop advertising campaigns for clients.
  • Marketing departments: Art Directors in-house work within the marketing department of companies to develop visual materials for branding, promotional, and other marketing initiatives.
  • Media companies: Art Directors in media companies work on the visual elements of television shows, films, and other forms of media.
  • Design firms: Art Directors work in design firms and consult with clients on design projects, such as branding, packaging, and web design.
  • Digital agencies: Art Directors working in digital agencies develop visual concepts and designs for digital platforms, such as websites, mobile apps, and social media.
  • Publishing companies: Art Directors working in publishing companies develop visual concepts and designs for magazines, newspapers, and books.
  • Retail and E-commerce: Art Directors in retail and e-commerce companies develop visual concepts and designs for product displays, packaging, and online stores.
  • Game industry: Art Directors work in the game industry develop visual concepts and designs for video games.
  • Government and Non-profit: Art Directors in government and non-profit organizations develop visual concepts and designs for public education, awareness, and campaigns.
  • Freelancing: Art Directors can work independently as freelancers, taking on clients and projects on a project-by-project basis.

What is the salary rate for an art director?

The salary of an art director can vary widely depending on factors such as location, industry, and level of experience.  Here are a few examples of the average salary for art directors in different industries:

  • Advertising: about $7,000 per month.
  • Digital agencies: about $7,500 per month.
  • Gaming industry: about $8,333 per month.
  • Retail: about $7,500 per month.
  • Film and Television: about $8,333 per month.

The salary of an art director can vary depending on location. Here are a few examples of the average salary for art directors in different locations (according to Glassdoor):

  • New York City, NY: about $8,750 per month.
  • Los Angeles, CA: about $7,917 per month.
  • Chicago, IL: about $7,083 per month.
  • San Francisco, CA: about $9,167 per month.
  • Seattle, WA: about $7,917 per month.
  • Dallas, TX: about $7,083 per month.
  • Boston, MA: about $7,917 per month.
  • Atlanta, GA: about $7,083 per month.

It's important to note that these are averages and the actual salary can vary depending on the employer, location and the level of experience. Also, cost of living also plays a huge role in determining the salary.

by Liza Sushko

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