How much does an art director make in San Francisco?
$165,200a year
Median yearly pay for art directors in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $79.43 an hour or $13,770 a month.
- Hourly
- $79.43
- Vs. national median
- +44%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 116
- Jobs in the area
- 2,390
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $88,460Median: $165,200Highest 10%: $277,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $88,460 | $42.53 | |
| 25th | $122,400 | $58.82 | |
| Median | $165,200 | $79.43 | |
| 75th | $209,000 | $100.46 | |
| 90th | $277,700 | $133.52 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for art directors.
| San Jose, CA | $170,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $137,600 |
| San Diego, CA | $126,100 |
| Oxnard, CA | $121,900 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $109,500 |
| Fresno, CA | $109,400 |
| Sacramento, CA | $106,400 |
| Riverside, CA | $104,400 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Musician and Singer | $157,600 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $136,800 |
| Technical Writer | $135,500 |
| Producer and Director | $130,600 |
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $129,300 |
| Fine Artist | $126,500 |
| Music Director and Composer | $113,000 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $110,800 |
| Film and Video Editor | $109,900 |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $109,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an art director make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $79.43 ($165,200 a year).
Do art directors make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $165,200 against $114,900 nationally, 44% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $137,800, so San Francisco pays 20% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for art director pay?
2 of 116 metro areas with data.
How much does an art director make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $88,460 or less a year; the top 10% make $277,700 or more.
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.