Advertising art director: Salary and conditions

• Range of typical starting salaries for junior art directors: £18,000 - £25,000.
• Salaries for middleweight art directors vary and can range from £25,000 - £50,000 depending on experience, successful campaigns and any awards earned.
• Senior art directors can earn anything between £45,000 and £120,000, although very few reach the upper end of this range as the highest salaries will only be paid by the leading agencies.
• Some art directors are self-employed and work freelance. While this work style gives flexibility, it may also be a precarious way to earn a living as advertising is a very competitive industry. Freelance work is a more feasible option for well-established art directors.
• Working hours are generally nine to five. However, extra hours are required in the evenings and at weekends in order to meet deadlines and specific needs (e.g. being on location at a certain time).
• Unsocial working hours may cause some disruption to personal life. Busy periods when long hours are required may also be very stressful.
• Work is primarily office-based but this will depend on the type of project and the employer. Some out-of-office work may be needed, on location, for example, or to meet with clients, which may involve a certain amount of travel.
• Dress code varies, depending on the employer or agency, but is generally relaxed.
• Jobs are available throughout the UK, although many of the larger agencies are based in London. Employment opportunities also exist abroad.

Salary figures are intended as a guide only.