Talent Directors
SOC code 27-2012 · O*NET-SOC 27-2012.04 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Talent 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.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Producers and Directors”, not this job alone.
- 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 does a talent director do?
Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
- Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
- Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.
- Contact agents and actors to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.
- Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.
- Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
- Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
- Review performer information, such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, to decide whom to audition for parts.
How to become a talent director
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 42% 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 Degree42%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree19%
- Master's Degree11%
- Some College Courses10%
Common questions
How much does a talent director 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 talent director 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 talent director 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 Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.4/5
- Writing3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Communications and Media3.6/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
- Administrative3.4/5
- Fine Arts3.3/5
- Sales and Marketing3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Negotiation, Coordination.