Average Art Directors Salary in Colorado
Art Directors in Colorado earn an average annual salary of $109,770, which is below the national average of $128,710. This difference can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the specific industry demands within the state and the overall economic landscape that influences compensation for creative leadership roles.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $109,770 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 22.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $168,640.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 680 Art Directors, Colorado presents a moderately sized market for these professionals. The Location Quotient of 0.72 suggests that the concentration of Art Directors is slightly below the national average, indicating a stable but not overly saturated job market. The presence of 0.237 jobs per 1,000 workers points to consistent, albeit not explosive, demand for skilled creative leadership.
Salary Overview
The average Art Directors in Colorado earns-14.7%below the national average.
$52.8
$2,111
$9,148
Art Directors Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that Art Director salaries in Colorado have seen a steady upward trend over the past four years, mirroring national patterns of salary growth in creative and marketing fields. Factors such as inflation, increased demand for digital and experiential design, and the evolving media landscape likely contribute to this positive trajectory, pushing average compensation higher.
Art Directors Salary Distribution in Colorado
The career path for an Art Director typically involves significant salary progression based on experience. Entry-level positions will command lower salaries, while seasoned professionals with extensive portfolios and proven leadership skills can expect to earn substantially more. The percentile gaps between junior, mid-level, and senior Art Directors highlight the substantial earning potential and career advancement opportunities available within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $66,600 | $32 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $82,328 | $39.6 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $93,550 | $45 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $137,213 | $66 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $168,640 | $81.1 |
Detailed Art Directors Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$109,770
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$104,047
Adjusted for COL (105.5)
An average annual salary of $109,770 in Colorado needs to be viewed in the context of its Cost of Living Index of 105.5. This index indicates that living expenses in Colorado are approximately 5.5% higher than the national average. Therefore, while the nominal salary is respectable, the purchasing power of $109,770 may be slightly diminished when accounting for the higher costs of housing, goods, and services within the state.
Job Market Context
680
Total Jobs
0.237
Per 1K Jobs
0.72
Location Quotient
Colorado has 0.72x the national average concentration of Art Directors jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
The Location Quotient of 0.72 for Art Directors in Colorado signifies that the state has a lower concentration of these professionals compared to the national average. This suggests that while there is a demand for Art Directors, the market is not as saturated as in some other regions. This could translate to a more competitive environment for job seekers looking to enter the field, but also potentially better opportunities for experienced professionals to stand out.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Art Directors
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Art Directors Salary | $112,690↑ 3% | 54 mi |
| Boulder, CO Art Directors Salary | $112,270↑ 2% | 67 mi |
Comparing salaries near Colorado
Hiring Art Directorss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Art Directors make in Colorado?
The median annual salary for a Art Directors in Colorado is $109,770. This typically ranges from $66,600 for entry-level positions to $168,640 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Colorado is 14.7% lower than the national median of $128,710.
Is Colorado a lucrative place for Art Directors?
No, not comparatively.While the average salary of $109,770 is substantial, it falls below the national average, and the cost of living is higher than the national average. This means the purchasing power of an Art Director's salary in Colorado is less than in many other parts of the country.
Is Colorado a good place to live for Art Directors?
The Cost of Living Index in Colorado is 105.5. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Colorado?
Some top paying nearby cities include Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO ($112,690) and Boulder, CO.
How does Colorado's Art Director salary compare to the national average?
Art Directors in Colorado earn an average of $109,770 annually, which is $19,000 less than the national average of $128,710.
What is the Cost of Living in Colorado relative to the national average?
Colorado has a Cost of Living Index of 105.5, meaning it is 5.5% more expensive to live there than the national average.
Is the job market for Art Directors in Colorado growing?
The provided data indicates a stable market with a Location Quotient below average, suggesting consistent but not rapidly expanding demand for Art Directors in Colorado.
How many Art Directors are there in Colorado?
Colorado is home to approximately 680 Art Directors, representing a small but dedicated segment of the creative workforce.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 680 employees in the Colorado area with a job density of 0.237 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Art Directors Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Colorado
- All Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Management Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Construction and Extraction Occupations Salary in Colorado
- Browse All Jobs in Colorado →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Art Directors • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Colorado