Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
Art Directors
SOC: 27-1011 O*NET: 27-1011.00
Median Salary
$111,040
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.2%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
12.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
What does a Art Directors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$61,060
10th percentile
Early Career
$80,130
25th percentile
Median
$111,040
50th percentile
Experienced
$160,460
75th percentile
Top Earners
$211,410
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$61,060
25th
$80,130
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$111,040
Mean: $128,100
75th
$160,460
90th
$211,410
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $150,350 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $80,130 and $160,460
- •Salary spread is 72.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 50,370 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:135,000
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services46.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services46.5%
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services27.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.2%
Annual Openings:12,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)135,000
Current
2034 (Projected)140,700
+4.2%
+5,700
Employment Change
+4.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Art Directors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
12,540 jobs$133,9302.13x
New York
8,300 jobs$136,6102.66x
Illinois
2,750 jobs$100,5301.39x
Texas
2,690 jobs$79,9300.60x
Florida
2,240 jobs$93,6300.70x
Massachusetts
1,810 jobs$131,0501.52x
Washington
1,740 jobs$143,4901.50x
New Jersey
1,620 jobs$126,0301.17x
Ohio
1,140 jobs$92,3700.63x
Minnesota
1,120 jobs$98,3301.17x
Georgia
1,050 jobs$131,6200.66x
Oregon
1,040 jobs$148,4101.62x
Michigan
1,020 jobs$86,7200.71x
Pennsylvania
890 jobs$89,9900.45x
North Carolina
880 jobs$89,5700.55x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Time Management
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Operations Analysis
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Time Management
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Operations Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Set and Exhibit Designers100%
5 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Landscape Architects82%
5 shared skills
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists82%
5 shared skills
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property73%
5 shared skills
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Time Management
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Art Directors
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechFigma
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechAtlassian Confluence
🔥 Hot TechjQuery
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechApple macOS
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Figma
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Atlassian Confluence
jQuery
Microsoft Office software
Apple macOS
Microsoft PowerPoint
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (7)Management & Supervision (1)Communication & Coordination (1)General Responsibilities (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination91% perform94%
5
Present final layouts to clients for approval.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Art Directors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Art Directors professionals typically have a AEC Holland code and highly value independence
AArtistic
EEnterprising
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Art Directors
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.70
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.58
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.41
Innovation
Very ImportantInnovation
Importance Level4.35
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.35
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.28
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Persistence
4.4
Innovation
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Independence
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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