How much does an art director make in California?
$137,800a year
Median yearly pay for art directors in California. That is $66.24 an hour or $11,480 a month.
- Hourly
- $66.24
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 46
- Jobs in the state
- 12,430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $81,500Median: $137,800Highest 10%: $249,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,500 | $39.18 | |
| 25th | $106,500 | $51.19 | |
| Median | $137,800 | $66.24 | |
| 75th | $192,400 | $92.49 | |
| 90th | $249,200 | $119.81 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $170,100 |
| San Francisco, CA | $165,200 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $137,600 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $126,400 |
| San Diego, CA | $126,100 |
| Stockton, CA | $123,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $121,900 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $110,200 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $109,500 |
| Fresno, CA | $109,400 |
| Sacramento, CA | $106,400 |
| Riverside, CA | $104,400 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for art directors.
| 1. Massachusetts | $149,300 |
| 2. California | $137,800 |
| 3. New York | $137,300 |
| 4. Oregon | $133,800 |
| 5. New Hampshire | $132,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an art director make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $66.24 ($137,800 a year).
Do art directors make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $137,800 against $114,900 nationally, 20% more.
Where does California rank for art director pay?
California ranks 2 of 46 states.
Which city in California pays art directors the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $170,100 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.