CreativeOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level Creative Director Salary in New York

2026 · Recent graduates and professionals with under 2 years of experience.

$134,694/yr

Typical range: $126,799 $163,688

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Creative Director Salary Progression in New York

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$134,694$11,225
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$173,799$14,483+29%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$202,766$16,897+51%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$229,415$19,118+70%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$278,079$23,173+106%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$316,315$26,360+135%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$325,874$27,156+142%
Current Salary
$134,694
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $65/hr
Next Level Target
$173,799
Junior · 2
+$39Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
41/100
Below Average
+6% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level Creative Director salary in New York, NY?

Entry Level Creative Directors in New York, NY earn approximately $135K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P10–P25 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a entry level Creative Director make per hour in New York, NY?

Based on $135K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $65/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior Creative Director in New York, NY?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Creative Director in New York, NY earns $288K–$372K/yr.