Creative Director Salary — U.S. Market Overview
20 metropolitan markets · May 2026 · BLS OES
National Median
$125,000
Highest Market
San Francisco
$170,000
National Median
$125,000
20-market average
Lowest Market
Detroit
$105,000
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | 90th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $130,000 | $170,000 | $225,000 | $285,000 | +2.1% |
| New York, NY | $120,000 | $160,000 | $210,000 | $265,000 | +2.1% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $115,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | $255,000 | +2.1% |
| Seattle, WA | $110,000 | $150,000 | $195,000 | $250,000 | +2.1% |
| Washington DC, DC | $105,000 | $145,000 | $190,000 | $240,000 | +2.1% |
| Boston, MA | $105,000 | $140,000 | $185,000 | $240,000 | +2.1% |
| San Diego, CA | $105,000 | $140,000 | $185,000 | $240,000 | +2.1% |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,000 | $135,000 | $180,000 | $230,000 | +2.1% |
| Portland, OR | $100,000 | $130,000 | $175,000 | $220,000 | +2.1% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $90,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 | $210,000 | +2.1% |
| Chicago, IL | $95,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 | $215,000 | +2.1% |
| Austin, TX | $90,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 | $210,000 | +2.1% |
| Denver, CO | $90,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 | $210,000 | +2.1% |
| Miami, FL | $90,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 | $210,000 | +2.1% |
| Baltimore, MD | $90,000 | $120,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 | +2.1% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $90,000 | $120,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | +2.1% |
| Dallas, TX | $85,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 | $195,000 | +2.1% |
| Houston, TX | $85,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 | $195,000 | +2.1% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $85,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 | $190,000 | +2.1% |
| Atlanta, GA | $85,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 | $190,000 | +2.1% |
| Tampa, FL | $80,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 | $180,000 | +2.1% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $80,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 | $180,000 | +2.1% |
| Nashville, TN | $80,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 | $185,000 | +2.1% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $85,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 | $190,000 | +2.1% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $80,000 | $105,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 | +2.1% |
| Charlotte, NC | $80,000 | $105,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 | +2.1% |
| Raleigh, NC | $80,000 | $105,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 | +2.1% |
| Kansas City, MO | $75,000 | $105,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 | +2.1% |
| Columbus, OH | $75,000 | $105,000 | $135,000 | $170,000 | +2.1% |
| Detroit, MI | $75,000 | $105,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 | +2.1% |