SOC 27-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Art Directors — Charlotte
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC · 6 metro areas compared
In Charlotte, NC the median wage is $90,000.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Charlotte, NC the median wage is $90,000. That is 21.6% lower than the national median of $114,850. Pay ranges from under $70,420 at the tenth percentile to more than $134,510 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $90,000 to $90,000.
Within the state, Raleigh records the highest median at $103,990. Of the 660 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 131st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,420 | −38.7% |
| 25th | $90,000 | −21.6% |
| Median (50th) | $90,000 | −21.6% |
| 75th | $90,000 | −21.6% |
| 90th | $134,510 | +17.1% |
| Mean | $97,260 | −15.3% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $103,990 | 200 | |
| 2 | Durham | $93,740 | 100 | |
| 3 | Greensboro | $85,610 | 100 | |
| 4 | Wilmington | $84,730 | 40 | |
| 5 | Winston-Salem | $84,100 | 90 | |
| 6 | Asheville | $72,710 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Charlotte run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $90,000 goes as far as $95,440 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$90,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$95,440US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $90,000 a year, 21.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $70,420 to $134,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Raleigh, at $103,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Art Directors in Charlotte, NC?
The median annual wage is $90,000, or $43.27 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $114,850, so pay in Charlotte, NC is 21.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Charlotte, NC earns more than $134,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $70,420 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Raleigh, at $103,990 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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