As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Creative Design Director in the United States is $143,773 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.
However, a Creative Design Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Creative Design 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Creative Design 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 Creative Design Director | $133,343 |
| Intermediate Level Creative Design Director | $134,588 |
| Senior Level Creative Design Director | $136,580 |
| Specialist Level Creative Design Director | $139,069 |
| Expert Level Creative Design Director | $142,786 |
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 Creative Design Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 9.35% |
| Photoshop | 2.33% |
| Digital Design | 1.43% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Partnering
|
$149,524 |
4%
|
|
UI
|
$148,086 |
3%
|
|
Insight
|
$148,086 |
3%
|
|
Leadership
|
$146,648 |
2%
|
|
Client Relationship
|
$146,648 |
2%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$146,648 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Creative Design Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Creative Design Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $140,454 and $152,511).
Creative Design Director Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.7% |
| High School | 6.0% |
| Associates | 8.1% |
| Bachelors | 67.9% |
| Masters | 16.7% |
| Doctorate | 0.6% |
Understanding how a Creative Design 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 a Creative Design Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $129,577 in 2023 to around $123,663 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Creative Design Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $129,577 |
| 2024 | $126,510 |
| 2025 | $123,663 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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