Creative Directors Salary in San Francisco, CA
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$159,000
Average Salary
$178,000
Salary Range
$80,000 - $219,000
Est. Employment*
8,000
*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.
Search Jobs on IndeedSalary Distribution
10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all creative directors earn between $115,000 and $195,000.
About Creative Directors in San Francisco
Creative Directors use their creative talents to communicate ideas, entertain audiences, and produce visual, written, or performance-based works. Their creativity drives culture, media, and the design of products and experiences.
In San Francisco, creative directors benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Technology, Finance & Venture Capital, Biotech & Life Sciences.
Key Skills
Education
Bachelor's degree in fine arts, design, communications, or a related field
Education requirements vary widely. Many positions value a strong portfolio and practical experience as much as formal education. A bachelor's degree is common, but talent, creativity, and a compelling body of work are often most important.
Tips to Earn More as a Creative Directors
Creative Directors Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $164,000 | $82,000 - $226,000 | +3% |
| Seattle, WA | $156,000 | $78,000 - $214,000 | -2% |
| New York, NY | $152,000 | $76,000 - $209,000 | -4% |
| Boston, MA | $149,000 | $82,000 - $199,000 | -6% |
| Washington DC, DC | $142,000 | $78,000 - $190,000 | -11% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $139,000 | $76,000 - $186,000 | -13% |
| Honolulu, HI | $135,000 | $74,000 - $181,000 | -15% |
| San Diego, CA | $134,000 | $74,000 - $179,000 | -16% |
| Denver, CO | $134,000 | $74,000 - $179,000 | -16% |
| Austin, TX | $133,000 | $73,000 - $178,000 | -16% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $130,000 | $72,000 - $174,000 | -18% |
| Portland, OR | $129,000 | $71,000 - $173,000 | -19% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $127,000 | $70,000 - $170,000 | -20% |
| Baltimore, MD | $127,000 | $70,000 - $170,000 | -20% |
| Anchorage, AK | $127,000 | $70,000 - $170,000 | -20% |
| Sacramento, CA | $126,000 | $69,000 - $169,000 | -21% |
| Chicago, IL | $125,000 | $69,000 - $167,000 | -21% |
| Raleigh, NC | $125,000 | $69,000 - $167,000 | -21% |
| Dallas, TX | $123,000 | $68,000 - $165,000 | -23% |
| Atlanta, GA | $123,000 | $68,000 - $165,000 | -23% |
| Hartford, CT | $123,000 | $68,000 - $165,000 | -23% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $121,000 | $67,000 - $162,000 | -24% |
| Houston, TX | $119,000 | $65,000 - $159,000 | -25% |
| Richmond, VA | $119,000 | $65,000 - $159,000 | -25% |
| Kansas City, MO | $118,000 | $65,000 - $158,000 | -26% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $117,000 | $64,000 - $156,000 | -26% |
| Detroit, MI | $115,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | -28% |
| Nashville, TN | $115,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | -28% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $115,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | -28% |
| St. Louis, MO | $115,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | -28% |
| Miami, FL | $114,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | -28% |
| Columbus, OH | $114,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | -28% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $114,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | -28% |
| Charlotte, NC | $113,000 | $62,000 - $151,000 | -29% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $113,000 | $62,000 - $151,000 | -29% |
| Toronto, ON | $112,000 | $62,000 - $150,000 | -30% |
| Orlando, FL | $111,000 | $61,000 - $148,000 | -30% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $111,000 | $61,000 - $148,000 | -30% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $111,000 | $61,000 - $148,000 | -30% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $110,000 | $61,000 - $147,000 | -31% |
| Tampa, FL | $109,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | -31% |
| Louisville, KY | $109,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | -31% |
| New Orleans, LA | $109,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | -31% |
| Buffalo, NY | $109,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | -31% |
| Birmingham, AL | $109,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | -31% |
| Tucson, AZ | $109,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | -31% |
| Vancouver, BC | $108,000 | $59,000 - $144,000 | -32% |
| Calgary, AB | $108,000 | $59,000 - $144,000 | -32% |
| San Antonio, TX | $107,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | -33% |
| Cleveland, OH | $107,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | -33% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -33% |
| Memphis, TN | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -33% |
| Ottawa, ON | $104,000 | $57,000 - $139,000 | -35% |
| Edmonton, AB | $99,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | -38% |
| Montreal, QC | $93,000 | $56,000 - $121,000 | -42% |
| Hamilton, ON | $91,000 | $55,000 - $118,000 | -43% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $90,000 | $54,000 - $117,000 | -43% |
| Halifax, NS | $86,000 | $52,000 - $112,000 | -46% |
| Quebec City, QC | $84,000 | $50,000 - $109,000 | -47% |