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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Creative Art Director in New York is $152,084 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.
However, a Creative Art Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Creative Art Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $166,067 | $13,839 | $3,194 | $80 |
| Average | $152,084 | $12,674 | $2,925 | $73 |
| 25th Percentile | $132,568 | $11,047 | $2,549 | $64 |
Saatchiwellness - New York, NY
Confidential - New York City, NY
Real Chemistry, Inc. - New York City, NY
FlexStaff Careers - Amityville, NY
A Creative Art 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.
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 Art Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Creative Art Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 125% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Creative Art Director positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Creative Art Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $243,334 | $117.0 | 60% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $228,126 | $110.0 | 50% |
| Healthcare | $205,313 | $99.0 | 35% |
| Biotechnology | $197,709 | $95.0 | 30% |
| Media | $190,105 | $91.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Creative Art 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $166,067 | $13,839 | $3,194 | $80 |
| Average | $152,084 | $12,674 | $2,925 | $73 |
| 25th Percentile | $132,568 | $11,047 | $2,549 | $64 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Creative Art Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
based.marketing
Poland, NY
based.marketing | Poland, NY
A boutique advertising agency is seeking a remote Art Director to push creative boundaries and manage visual communications for diverse clients.The ideal c... more
8 Days Ago
PSC Industries
New York, NY
PSC Industries | New York, NY
VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growt... more
10 Days Ago
HUSH
New York, NY
HUSH | New York, NY
Job Description. Job Description. Role: Creative Director (Design, Digital Experience). Level: Management. Supervisor: Partner, David Schwarz. Who we are. ... more
6 Days Ago
UJUU
New York, NY
UJUU | New York, NY
Job Description. Job Description. Founded in 2020, UJUU is an eCommerce platform and brand development studio. We endeavor to connect a global audience of ... more
7 Days Ago
VML Enterprise Solutions
New York, NY
VML Enterprise Solutions | New York, NY
About VML & WPP. VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected bran... more
8 Days Ago
Serino Coyne
New York, NY
Serino Coyne | New York, NY
Job Description. Job Description. We are a full-service marketing and advertising agency that marries the human stories of our clients with storytelling, a... more
9 Days Ago
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