RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Art Directors salary: California vs Michigan

Occupation

Art Directors in California earn a median of $137,780. In Michigan, $86,660. After cost-of-living, the gap is 38.2% — not 59%.

Nominal pay gap
+59%
California vs Michigan
COL-adjusted gap
+38.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Art Directors

Median
$137,780
p25
$106,470
p75
$192,380
p10
$81,500
p90
$249,210
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-11%
See full breakdown for California

Michigan

Art Directors

Median
$86,660
p25
$65,000
p75
$121,620
p10
$54,590
p90
$166,880
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
96.2
See full breakdown for Michigan

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.