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Occupation · SOC 27-1011

Art Directors

There are 53,070 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $114,850 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Arts, Sports & MediaTypical education: Bachelor's degree
53,070
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$114,850
Median pay a year
Middle half: $82,480–$162,640
12,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.2%
106
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 117 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $142,990 · LCA filings 358,980$142,99035
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $137,560 · LCA filings 156,590$137,56015
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $104,570 · LCA filings 62,560$104,5706
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $165,210 · LCA filings 122,390$165,21012
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $151,820 · LCA filings 61,550$151,8206
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $87,810 · LCA filings 01,210$87,8100
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $111,480 · LCA filings 31,190$111,4803
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $103,150 · LCA filings 11,090$103,1501
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $145,410 · LCA filings 1880$145,4101
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $105,990 · LCA filings 2820$105,9902

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 600 · LCA filings 12$170,14060012
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 2,390 · LCA filings 12$165,2102,39012
Burlington–South Burlington, VTEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$153,890500
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 1,550 · LCA filings 6$151,8201,5506
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 880 · LCA filings 1$145,4108801

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 28 · Employment 8,98035288,980
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 11 · Employment 6,59015116,590
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 9 · Employment 2,3901292,390
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 600125600
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 2,560652,560

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $128,398 · Level III $160,784 · Level IV $193,190$95,992$128,398$160,784$193,190
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $124,530 · Level III $156,354 · Level IV $188,178$92,706$124,530$156,354$188,178
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $94,952 · Level III $116,376 · Level IV $137,821$73,507$94,952$116,376$137,821
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $134,763 · Level III $169,603 · Level IV $204,422$99,944$134,763$169,603$204,422
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $119,579 · Level III $147,451 · Level IV $175,323$91,707$119,579$147,451$175,323
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $82,410 · Level III $98,301 · Level IV $114,171$66,539$82,410$98,301$114,171
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $85,072 · Level III $117,624 · Level IV $150,155$52,541$85,072$117,624$150,155
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $86,029 · Level III $108,534 · Level IV $131,019$63,544$86,029$108,534$131,019
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $127,795 · Level III $158,330 · Level IV $188,864$97,261$127,795$158,330$188,864
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $89,315 · Level III $111,176 · Level IV $133,058$67,434$89,315$111,176$133,058
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $151,986 · Level III $182,312 · Level IV $212,638$121,659$151,986$182,312$212,638

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Design and Applied ArtsCIP 50.04OPT · up to 12 months2,673OPT · up to 12 months
Fine and Studio ArtsCIP 50.07OPT · up to 12 months1,905OPT · up to 12 months
Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralCIP 50.01OPT · up to 12 months271OPT · up to 12 months

See Art Directors in every metro area

All 117 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Arts, Sports & Media

Coaches and ScoutsPublic Relations SpecialistsMusicians and SingersMerchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersGraphic DesignersProducers and DirectorsWriters and AuthorsPhotographers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology