Jobs Similar to Art Directors
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to art directors, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Graphic Designers, Fashion Designers and Music Directors and Composers.
Art Directors: $114,850 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Art Directors) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graphic DesignersSame group | 84% | $62,960−45% | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Fashion DesignersSame group | 80% | $80,960−30% | Training or associate |
| 3 | Music Directors and Composers | 79% | $73,710−36% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Producers and Directors | 78% | $90,360−21% | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Set and Exhibit DesignersSame group | 77% | $75,240−34% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Film and Video Editors | 77% | $75,420−34% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsSame group | 77% | $102,030−11% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Interior DesignersSame group | 75% | $67,190−41% | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Editors | 75% | $77,920−32% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Public Relations Specialists | 75% | $74,750−35% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Writers and Authors | 74% | $76,910−33% | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 74% | $76,910Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Advertising and Promotions Managers | 73% | $133,660+16% | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Talent Directors | 73% | $90,360Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Choreographers | 73% | $55,310−52% | Training or associate |
| 16 | Video Game Designers | 72% | $104,000Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | 72% | $97,150−15% | Training or associate |
| 18 | Media Programming Directors | 72% | $90,360Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersSame group | 70% | $39,390−66% | Training or associate |
| 20 | Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | 70% | $47,340−59% | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Graphic Designers
84% similar · $62,960 (−45%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Fashion Designers
80% similar · $80,960 (−30%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 3Music Directors and Composers
79% similar · $73,710 (−36%) · Bachelor's degree
- 4Producers and Directors
78% similar · $90,360 (−21%) · Bachelor's degree
- 5Set and Exhibit Designers
77% similar · $75,240 (−34%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Film and Video Editors
77% similar · $75,420 (−34%) · Bachelor's degree
- 7Special Effects Artists and Animators
77% similar · $102,030 (−11%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Interior Designers
75% similar · $67,190 (−41%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 9Editors
75% similar · $77,920 (−32%) · Bachelor's degree
- 10Public Relations Specialists
75% similar · $74,750 (−35%) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Writers and Authors
74% similar · $76,910 (−33%) · Bachelor's degree
- 12Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
74% similar · $76,910 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 13Advertising and Promotions Managers
73% similar · $133,660 (+16%) · Bachelor's degree
- 14Talent Directors
73% similar · $90,360 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 15Choreographers
73% similar · $55,310 (−52%) · Training or associate
- 16Video Game Designers
72% similar · $104,000 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 17Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
72% similar · $97,150 (−15%) · Training or associate
- 18Media Programming Directors
72% similar · $90,360 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
70% similar · $39,390 (−66%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 20Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
70% similar · $47,340 (−59%) · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than art directors.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for art directors also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where art directors is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like art directors
What jobs are most similar to art directors?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Graphic Designers (84% similar), Fashion Designers (80% similar), Music Directors and Composers (79% similar), Producers and Directors (78% similar) and Set and Exhibit Designers (77% similar).
Which jobs like art directors pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Advertising and Promotions Managers ($133,660, +16%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with art directors ($114,850). Without more preparation than art directors usually need: Advertising and Promotions Managers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.