Art Director Salary in Iowa
Based on 280+ workers in Iowa
Median Annual Salary (IA)
$80,940
$38.91/hr
vs National Average
$94,938
-14.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$63K – $127K
280 employed in Iowa
Art Director salary in Iowa averages $80,940 per year, according to current employment data for the state. This figure represents compensation for approximately 280 working art directors throughout Iowa. However, the Art Director salary in Iowa runs about 15 percent below the national average, reflecting regional economic differences and cost of living variations compared to major metropolitan areas.
Several factors influence Art Director salary in Iowa, including experience level, industry sector, and company size. Art directors working in larger cities or specialized creative fields typically earn toward the higher end of the $62,990 to $126,990 range. Additional considerations include educational background, portfolio strength, and whether positions are in advertising, design firms, corporate settings, or freelance work.
Salary Distribution — Art Director in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,990 |
| 25th percentile | $70,770 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $80,940 |
| 75th percentile | $106,910 |
| 90th percentile | $126,990 |
Top-Paying Industries for Art Director (U.S.)
Which industries pay Art Directors the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Art Directors in Iowa tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $140,600 | 550 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $136,020 | 3K |
| Information | $129,620 | 9K |
| Administrative and Support Services | $129,430 | 2K |
| Construction | $126,200 | — |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Art Director in Iowa vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Iowa) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $77,290 |
| 2023 | $79,820 |
| 2024 | $80,560 |
| 2025 | $80,940 |
| 2026 (projected) | $81,322 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Iowa Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $77,290 | $88,111 |
| 2023 | $79,820 | $89,717 |
| 2024 | $80,560 | $93,068 |
| 2025 | $80,940 | $94,938 |
| 2026 (projected) | $81,322 | $95,386 |
Art Director Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $70,770 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $80,940 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $106,910 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $126,990 |
Art Director Salary in Other States
Related Art Director Salaries in Iowa
How other high-demand occupations in Iowa compare to Art Director ($80,940 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Art Director | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Industrial Designer in IA | $70,420 | -13.0% | $33.86/hr |
| Producer and Director in IA | $58,550 | -27.7% | $28.15/hr |
| Interior Designer in IA | $58,040 | -28.3% | $27.90/hr |
| Audio and Video Technician in IA | $51,030 | -37.0% | $24.53/hr |
| Graphic Designer in IA | $50,310 | -37.8% | $24.19/hr |
| Speech-Language Pathologist in IA | $81,050 | +0.1% | $38.97/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in IA | $80,580 | -0.4% | $38.74/hr |
| Financial Examiner in IA | $80,370 | -0.7% | $38.64/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in IA | $81,710 | +1.0% | $39.28/hr |
| Statistician in IA | $80,150 | -1.0% | $38.53/hr |
| Tax Examiner in IA | $79,390 | -1.9% | $38.17/hr |
| Computer Programmer in IA | $79,180 | -2.2% | $38.07/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do art directors make in Iowa?
- The median salary for art directors in Iowa is $80,940 per year, or $39 per hour. This is approximately 14.7% below the national average for this position.
What is the salary range for art directors in Iowa?
- Art directors in Iowa earn between $62,990 and $126,990 annually, depending on experience, skills, and employer. This range represents the 25th to 75th percentile of salaries in the state.
How many art directors are employed in Iowa?
- There are approximately 280 art directors currently employed in Iowa, according to the latest employment data available.
Is an art director salary in Iowa competitive compared to the national average?
- Art director salaries in Iowa are about 14.7% lower than the national average, with Iowa's median of $80,940 compared to higher national figures. However, Iowa's lower cost of living may offset this difference for many professionals.