Producers and Directors
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $90,360/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +4.9% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 12,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Producers and Directors?
The median pay for Producers and Directors is $90,360 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Producers and Directors?
Employment for Producers and Directors is projected to change +4.9% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Producers and Directors?
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Producers and Directors?
About 12,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.