Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Developing original ideas, approaches, designs, or solutions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Art directors need at least a bachelor’s degree in an art or design subject and previous work experience. Depending on the industry, art directors may have previously worked as graphic designers, illustrators, copy editors, or photographers, or in another art or design occupation. PayThe median annual wage for art directors was $114,850 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of art directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 12,200 openings for art directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for art directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of art directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about art directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for art directors was $114,850 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of art directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 12,200 openings for art directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for art directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of art directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about art directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of art directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 12,200 openings for art directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for art directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of art directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about art directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions.
Work Environment
Most art directors are self-employed. Others work for advertising and public relations firms, newspaper and magazine publishers, motion picture and video industries, and specialized design services firms.
How to Become an Art Director
Art directors need at least a bachelor’s degree in an art or design subject and previous work experience. Depending on the industry, art directors may have previously worked as graphic designers, illustrators, copy editors, or photographers, or in another art or design occupation.
Pay
The median annual wage for art directors was $114,850 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of art directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 12,200 openings for art directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for art directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of art directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about art directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most art directors are self-employed. Others work for advertising and public relations firms, newspaper and magazine publishers, motion picture and video industries, and specialized design services firms.
How to Become an Art Director
Art directors need at least a bachelor’s degree in an art or design subject and previous work experience. Depending on the industry, art directors may have previously worked as graphic designers, illustrators, copy editors, or photographers, or in another art or design occupation.
Pay
The median annual wage for art directors was $114,850 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of art directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 12,200 openings for art directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for art directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of art directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about art directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for art directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of art directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about art directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about art directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.