Art Director: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Art Directors earn a national median of $111,040/yr with 4.2% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Design, English Language, Computers and Electronics.
Median Salary
$111,040
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
4.2%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
50,370
2024 data
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Art Director
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Art Director candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Art Director performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Art Director roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 4.2% for Art Director roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 50,370
- Projected Growth
- 4.2%
- Typical Education
- Bachelor's degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Art Director do?
- Art Directors apply expertise in Design, English Language, Computers and Electronics to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking.
- How much does a Art Director make?
- The national median salary for a Art Director is $111,040 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Art Director a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Art Director roles is projected to grow 4.2% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 50,370 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Art Director?
- The typical entry-level education for a Art Director is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Art Directors need?
- The most important skills for Art Director roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Writing, Persuasion. Key tools and technologies include: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.