SalaryNode

Average Art Directors Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Art Directors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area earn an average annual salary of $116,290. This figure is slightly below the national average of $128,710, suggesting a nuanced compensation landscape influenced by local market dynamics and industry demand within the region. The specific economic drivers of the DC Metro area play a significant role in shaping these compensation levels for creative leadership roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $116,290 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $168,830.
  • Outlook: The job market for Art Directors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV region appears moderately stable, with a local workforce of 770 professionals. A Location Quotient of 0.76 indicates a slightly lower concentration of Art Directors compared to the national average, suggesting that while opportunities exist, the field is not as saturated as in other major metropolitan areas. This concentration level, combined with the existing workforce size, points to a steady demand for skilled Art Directors.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$116,290

The average Art Directors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns-9.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$55.9

Weekly

$2,236

Monthly

$9,691

Art Directors Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Salary progression for Art Directors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions might command salaries at the lower percentiles, while senior Art Directors with extensive portfolios and leadership experience can expect to earn at the higher percentiles, potentially exceeding the average. The widening gap between entry-level and senior salaries reflects the increasing value placed on strategic creative oversight and proven track records in the industry.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$66,560$32
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$87,218$41.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$108,130$52
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$145,363$69.9
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$168,830$81.2

Detailed Art Directors Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$116,290

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$116,290

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average salary of $116,290 in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of an Art Director's salary in this region is comparable to the national average, offering a balanced lifestyle without significant financial strain related to everyday expenses.

Job Market Context

770

Total Jobs

0.248

Per 1K Jobs

0.76

Location Quotient

Below Average

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 0.76x 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.

With a Location Quotient of 0.76, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV region exhibits a slightly lower concentration of Art Directors relative to the national average. This suggests that the job market is not overly saturated, potentially offering good opportunities for qualified professionals. While not a hub of extreme concentration, the steady presence of 770 Art Directors indicates a consistent demand for these creative roles within the local economy.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Art Directors

CitySalaryDist.
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Art Directors Salary$104,560↓ 10%35 mi

Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Hiring Art Directorss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Art Directors make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median annual salary for a Art Directors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $116,290. This typically ranges from $66,560 for entry-level positions to $168,830 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 9.6% lower than the national median of $128,710.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Art Directors?

Yes, it offers competitive compensation relative to the cost of living.Art Directors in this region earn $116,290 annually, which is competitive given the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. While slightly below the national salary average, the alignment with living costs makes it a financially stable location.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Art Directors?

The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

Some top paying nearby cities include Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($104,560) and others.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Art Directors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $116,290, which is approximately 9.7% lower than the national average of $128,710.

What is the concentration of Art Directors in this region?

The Location Quotient for Art Directors in this region is 0.76, indicating that the concentration of these professionals is slightly below the national average.

How does the Cost of Living affect the Art Director salary?

The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100, matching the national average. This means the $116,290 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

What is the total number of Art Directors in this area?

There are approximately 770 Art Directors employed within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 770 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 0.248 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Semantic Salary Analysis for Art Directors • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV