Creative Director Salary With and Without a Graduate Degree

Once you earn a graduate degree you become much more indispensable within your organization. Without a graduate degree, chances are you might earn less than a creative director with a master’s. There are many variables and conditions that could make the situations differ depending on the company or project, but as a general rule of thumb, a graduate student is much more likely to earn more due to the amount of prestige graduate degrees hold. The amount of knowledge, skills, and expertise gathered during your graduate studies is incomparable to those who do not have the academic rigor.

If you are pursuing a career as a creative director acquiring a master’s from an accredited university is highly advised. Not only will a graduate degree make you a stronger candidate when applying for jobs, but you will be able to earn more money due to the value and recognition a Master’s degree has, considering the amount of workload, knowledge, experience, and resources offered in academics.

According to a survey collected by the Miami Ad School from July 30, 2015, through June 1, 2016, graduates reported receiving the following salaries for Art Direction:

Creative Director Salary

$70,000 and over: 11% of graduates

$60,000 – $70,000: 10% of graduates

$50,000 – $60,000: 50% of graduates

$40,000 – $50,000: 21% of graduates

$30,000 – $40,000: 8% of recent graduates

According to a survey collected as of October 28, 2020, the average Art Director salary is $97,734, but it typically ranges between $83,568 and $117,669. Salary varies widely depending on a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to education, certifications, expertise, and skills.

Salaries Of Creative Directors Without a Graduate Degree

The creative industry is highly competitive. Creative directors must assume different positions within the workforce, including a leadership role which makes the hiring process a meticulous one. Without a graduate degree, it can be a lot more difficult to stand out from the crowd of applicants and you will probably have to start out at a lower level of compensation, such as an intern. Chances are, it will also take you longer to get to an executive or managerial position.

Graduate Degrees To Become A Creative Director

A graduate degree will contribute positively towards your career as a Creative Director due to the number of tools and knowledge, professors and instructors can provide. Florida International University and Miami Ad School are highly respected institutions that offer opportunities for network growth, awards, and certifications as well as bring you a world-renowned graduate-level education in Creative Direction, Art Direction, Social Media Strategy, and Strategic Planning. Graduates report attaining top positions in creative industries due to the expertise and knowledge this program offers.

The Global Strategic Communications Creative Track is a 39-credit program that culminates in a Master of Science in Mass Communications degree awarded by Florida International University and graduation from world-renowned Miami Ad School’s portfolio program. The interdisciplinary program combines graduate-level academic courses with the creative skills-building curriculum taught by the leading portfolio school in the world.

For more information on the GSC program, contact Grizelle De Los Reyes, Director of the FIU-MAS Creative Track program at gdelosre@fiu.edu