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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Art Directors salary in Seattle, Washington

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the Seattle metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$143,490
Mean annual$159,210
Range (10th to 90th)Not published
Seattle, Washington employment1,460
State vs national+25.0% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Seattle 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)

  • Design

    Knowledge

    4.3 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    4.3 / 5
  • Originality

    Ability

    4.3 / 5
  • Fluency of Ideas

    Ability

    4.3 / 5
  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge

    4.2 / 5
  • Fine Arts

    Knowledge

    4.2 / 5
  • Communications and Media

    Knowledge

    4.1 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.

  2. 02

    Present final layouts to clients for approval.

  3. 03

    Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.

  4. 04

    Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.

  5. 05

    Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.

  6. 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.

  7. 07

    Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.

  8. 08

    Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Art Directors in Seattle, Washington?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Art Directors in the Seattle metropolitan area is $143,490.
Does Seattle pay more than the Washington state average for Art Directors?
The Seattle metro median is 0.0% versus the Washington state median of $143,490.
How does Seattle compare to the national median for Art Directors?
The Seattle metro median is +25.0% 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.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Seattle 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.