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Art Directors in Washington

Art Directors in Washington

Considering working as an Art Directors in Washington? Here’s what the data says. 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. Excludes “Set and Exhibit Designers” (27-1027).

What do Art Directors Make in Washington?

The art directors working in Washington, the typical annual salary is $143,490 per year (or about $68.99/hour).

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $72,810 $35.00
25th percentile $106,930 $51.41
Median (50th) $143,490 $68.99
75th percentile $192,620 $92.60
90th percentile n/a n/a
Salary ranges for Art Directors in Washington

The job concentration index in Washington compared to the national average — is 1.50, indicating that art directors are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, art directors earn a median of $103,285 per year ($49.66/hour), higher than the Washington median.

Art Directors earnings in Washington vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 104,079 art directors across the United States. In Washington alone, around 1,740 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 370 art directors.

Art Directors in Washington vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Art Directors

Top Washington Metros for Art Directors

These are the Washington metros with the most art directors in Washington.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,460 $143,490
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 50 $85,370

Top States for Art Directors Employment

View the states that employ the most art directors work.

State Number Employed
California 12,540
New York 8,300
Illinois 2,750
Texas 2,690
Florida 2,240
Massachusetts 1,810
Washington 1,740
New Jersey 1,620
Ohio 1,140
Minnesota 1,120
Georgia 1,050
Oregon 1,040
Michigan 1,020
Pennsylvania 890
North Carolina 880
Virginia 860
Tennessee 750
Missouri 740
Connecticut 680
Colorado 680

Highest-Paying States for Art Directors

These states pay the most for art directors.

State Annual Median Salary
Oregon $148,410
Washington $143,490
New York $136,610
California $133,930
Georgia $131,620
Massachusetts $131,050
District of Columbia $126,520
New Jersey $126,030
Hawaii $108,420
New Hampshire $101,890

Skills

Key art directors skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.8 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  3.8 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.8 / 5
0
5
Coordination  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Design  4.3 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.2 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  4.2 / 5
0
5
Fine Arts  4.2 / 5
0
5
Communications and Media  4.1 / 5
0
5
Sales and Marketing  3.7 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for art directors, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Fluency of Ideas  4.2 / 5
0
5
Originality  4.2 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Art Directors typically:

  • Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
  • Present final layouts to clients for approval.
  • Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
  • Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
  • Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
  • Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
  • Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
  • Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.
  • Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
  • Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
  • Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.
  • Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.

Work Activities

  • Thinking Creatively
  • Working with Computers
  • Getting Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software In-demand technologies: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Design & Applied Arts
  • General Visual & Performing Arts
  • Fine & Studio Arts

Careers similar to art directors include:

Also Known As

Art Administrator (Art Admin), Art Coordinator, Art Director, Art Manager, Art Supervisor, Artistic Director, Brand Creative Director, Creative Art Director, Creative Design Director, Creative Director (CD Director), Creative Manager, Creative Operations Director (Creative Ops Director), Creative Services Director, Creative Services Manager, Design Director.

References

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