Producers and Directors
SOC code 27-2012 · O*NET-SOC 27-2012.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Producers and Directors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$90,360
a year
Hourly
$43.44
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$113,300
$54.47 per hour
Middle 50%
$62,670 – $134,800
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$45,780 – $198,540
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
143,120
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $45,780
- $22.01/hr
- 25th percentile
- $62,670
- $30.13/hr
- Median percentile
- $90,360
- $43.44/hr
- 75th percentile
- $134,800
- $64.81/hr
- 90th percentile
- $198,540
- $95.45/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+5%
Growing faster than average
167,000
jobs in 2024
175,200
projected for 2034
About 8,200 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do producers and directors do?
Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
- Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
- Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
- Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
- Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
- Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
- Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 57% 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 Degree57%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)15%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree13%
- Post-Secondary Certificate11%
Common questions
How much does a producers and directors earn?
The national median is $90,360 a year. The full range runs from $45,780 at the 10th percentile to $198,540 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a producers and directors 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.
Is producers and directors in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.4/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Writing3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Communications and Media4.7/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Telecommunications3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- Fine Arts2.8/5
- Engineering and Technology2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources.