Creative · Agency side · Updated September 2026
Creative Director salary
in the UK.
Based on Stonor Search's salary data, Creative Directors in the UK typically earn between £75,000 and £140,000 depending on level: around £75,000 – £100,000 at director level, rising to £110,000 – £140,000 at c-suite / executive level. Pay varies with seniority, location, agency size and client mix, and the real scope of the role.
Also covers: Executive Creative Director, ECD, Head of Creative, CD, Design Director.
UK average
High confidence£106,500
Typical salary (band midpoint)
- Salary range
- £75,000 – £140,000
- Levels covered
- Director to C-suite / Executive
- Last updated
- September 2026
Creative Director salary by seniority and location
Annual base salary, GBP. "Typical" is the midpoint of the published band. The source publishes a UK-average band only for this role.
| Level | UK average range | UK typical | London range | London typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DirectorCreative Director | £75,000 – £100,000 | £87,500 | — | — |
| C-suite / ExecutiveExecutive Creative Director | £110,000 – £140,000 | £125,000 | — | — |
What does a Creative Director earn by location?
- UK average
- £75,000 – £140,000
Other regions use the UK average band: South East, South West, Midlands, North West, North East & Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Remote (UK).
The source doesn't publish a separate London band for this role, so we can't quantify a London premium here. Across the roles where both bands exist, London averages about 15% higher. Regional searches outside London fall back to the UK figure and say so.
Market context
Digital-first, multidisciplinary skills are in highest demand. AI tools are becoming standard, but conceptual and storytelling skills remain essential. Senior creative roles — Creative Director and multi-skilled Art Director — are the hardest to fill.
Source: Stonor Search Marketing Salary Benchmark 2025
About this data
- Sources
- Stonor Search Marketing Salary Benchmark 2025
- Sector coverage
- Agency side
- Benchmark period
- 2025
- Includes
- Base salary only. No bonus, commission or equity.
- Confidence
- High confidence. A published Stonor band for this exact role and location.
What affects a Creative Director's salary?
Seniority
The biggest lever. In Stonor's data a director Creative Director sits around £87,500, while c-suite / executive level is around £125,000. Titles inflate faster than pay, so check the scope, team size and budget behind the title before assuming the top band applies.
Location
Stonor publishes a single UK-average band for this role. Across the roles where we do hold both, London averages roughly 15% higher, which is a reasonable starting assumption until we can publish a split.
Agency size and client mix
Agency bands vary with the size of the agency and the sectors it serves. Niche B2B work (tech, healthcare, financial services) tends to pay above consumer lifestyle and entertainment for the same title, according to Stonor's 2025 marketing report.
Skills that push pay higher
Multidisciplinary, digital-first portfolio. Conceptual and storytelling strength. Multi-skilled art direction at senior level. (Source: Stonor Search Marketing Salary Benchmark 2025.)
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