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Art Director/Lead Designer Salary in New York

How much does an Art Director/Lead Designer make in New York? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Art Director/Lead Designer in New York is $103,545 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, an Art Director/Lead Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $124,490
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,198 to $114,509
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,599
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Art Director/Lead Designer Job Openings in New York

Key Factors That Influence Art Director/Lead Designer Salaries

An Art Director/Lead Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Art Director/Lead Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Art Director/Lead Designer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,618
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,142
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $101,261
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $123,571
  • Expert (over 8 years): $138,167
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Package Designer I less than 1 year $67,618
Package Designer II 1-2 years $79,142
Art Director/Lead Designer 2-4 years $101,261
Package Designer IV 5-8 years $123,571
Package Design Manager over 8 years $138,167

How Do Art Director/Lead Designer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Art Director/Lead Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $107,840.
  • California: $107,431.
  • Massachusetts: $105,999.

Top Paying Cities for Art Director/Lead Designer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Holtsville: $106,867
  • Brentwood: $106,688
  • Brightwaters: $105,737

Art Director/Lead Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Art Director/Lead Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 78% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Art Director/Lead Designer positions in Transportation or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Art Director/Lead Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Art Director/Lead Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities $144,963 $70.0 40%
Aerospace & Defense $134,608 $65.0 30%
Construction $129,431 $62.0 25%
Insurance $124,254 $60.0 20%
Telecom $122,183 $59.0 18%

Art Director/Lead Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Art Director/Lead Designer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$95,198
Average $103,545/year
$114,509
$7,933
Average $8,629/month
$9,542
$1,831
Average $1,991/week
$2,202
$46
Average $50/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $114,509 $9,542 $2,202 $55
Average $103,545 $8,629 $1,991 $50
25th Percentile $95,198 $7,933 $1,831 $46

Find Your Next Art Director/Lead Designer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Art Director/Lead Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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