Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
SOC code 13-1011 · O*NET-SOC 13-1011.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Business and finance
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$82,890
a year
Hourly
$39.85
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$141,580
$68.07 per hour
Middle 50%
$63,670 – $146,430
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$48,010 – $284,570
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
12,620
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $48,010
- $23.08/hr
- 25th percentile
- $63,670
- $30.61/hr
- Median percentile
- $82,890
- $39.85/hr
- 75th percentile
- $146,430
- $70.40/hr
- 90th percentile
- $284,570
- $136.81/hr
What do agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes do?
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
- Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
- Keep informed of industry trends and deals.
- Conduct auditions or interviews to evaluate potential clients.
- Negotiate with managers, promoters, union officials, and other persons regarding clients' contractual rights and obligations.
- Confer with clients to develop strategies for their careers, and to explain actions taken on their behalf.
- Develop contacts with individuals and organizations, and apply effective strategies and techniques to ensure their clients' success.
- Schedule promotional or performance engagements for clients.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 41% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree41%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)38%
- Master's Degree17%
- Some College Courses3%
Common questions
How much does an agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes earn?
The national median is $82,890 a year. The full range runs from $48,010 at the 10th percentile to $284,570 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Writing3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Sales and Marketing4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.8/5
- Fine Arts3.7/5
- Communications and Media3.7/5
- Administrative3.4/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Persuasion, Negotiation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management.