As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Creative Director in the United States is $120,021 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, an Associate Creative Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Associate Creative Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Creative Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Associate Creative Director | $113,112 |
| Intermediate Level Associate Creative Director | $113,827 |
| Senior Level Associate Creative Director | $116,211 |
| Specialist Level Associate Creative Director | $119,073 |
| Expert Level Associate Creative Director | $122,299 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Associate Creative Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 11.7% |
| Sales Process | 1.52% |
| Adobe Creative Suite | 0.98% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Resourcing
|
$129,623 |
8%
|
|
Staff Management
|
$127,222 |
6%
|
|
Prioritization
|
$124,822 |
4%
|
|
Insight
|
$124,822 |
4%
|
|
Innovation
|
$123,622 |
3%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$123,622 |
3%
|
Understanding how an Associate Creative Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for an Associate Creative Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $101,338 in 2023 to around $100,757 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Creative Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $101,338 |
| 2024 | $102,185 |
| 2025 | $100,757 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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