Salary distribution
Where San Jose art directors fall on the wage curve.
Distribution not available
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.3 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Originality
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Fluency of Ideas
Ability
- 4.2 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Fine Arts
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Communications and Media
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
- 02
Present final layouts to clients for approval.
- 03
Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
- 04
Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
- 05
Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
- 06
Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
- 07
Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
- 08
Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Jose metro compares to other major California metro areas for art directors.
- San Francisco$158,690
- Los Angeles$133,550
- San Diego$112,400
- Riverside$108,340
- Sacramento$103,480
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Art Directors in San Jose, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Art Directors in the San Jose metropolitan area is $170,760.
- Does San Jose pay more than the California state average for Art Directors?
- The San Jose metro median is +27.5% versus the California state median of $133,930.
- How does San Jose compare to the national median for Art Directors?
- The San Jose metro median is +48.8% versus the BLS national figure of $114,795.
- What education is required for Art Directors?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Jose CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.