How much does a director make?
The median director in the United States earns $52,100 per year, about $25.05 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all directors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 21-2021.
Director salary range
Pay for directors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,670 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,310. The average (mean) wage of $62,100 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,670 | $16.67 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $44,010 | $21.16 | |
| Median (50th) | $52,100 | $25.05 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $73,730 | $35.45 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,310 | $47.26 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for directors, religious activities and education (SOC 21-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Director salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Directors earn the most in Alabama at $79,310 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $29,540. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $79,310 | 90 |
| Texas | $75,420 | 330 |
| Georgia | $72,910 | 320 |
| Nebraska | $72,500 | 40 |
| Colorado | $67,760 | 100 |
| Iowa | $66,140 | 220 |
| New Jersey | $65,730 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $63,280 | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $62,930 | 160 |
| Nevada | $62,460 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $61,940 | 130 |
| District of Columbia | $61,870 | 170 |
| California | $61,570 | 3,200 |
| Virginia | $59,020 | 380 |
| Maryland | $58,820 | 300 |
| Indiana | $58,490 | 670 |
| Arizona | $57,140 | 300 |
| Utah | $56,790 | 50 |
| Washington | $56,480 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,510 | 1,210 |
| Illinois | $53,600 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $53,360 | 50 |
| Missouri | $52,980 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $52,230 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $50,110 | 760 |
| New York | $49,990 | 3,550 |
| Mississippi | $49,430 | 120 |
| Ohio | $49,340 | 740 |
| Florida | $49,230 | 1,420 |
| New Mexico | $48,240 | 60 |
| Connecticut | $47,850 | 160 |
| Hawaii | $47,590 | 310 |
| Oklahoma | $47,100 | 110 |
| Kansas | $45,640 | 140 |
| Michigan | $45,590 | 950 |
| Oregon | $45,360 | 1,860 |
| Montana | $45,220 | 640 |
| Idaho | $44,990 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $44,770 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $40,180 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $36,120 | 170 |
| Arkansas | $33,920 | 140 |
| Louisiana | $29,540 | N/A |
State median wages for directors, religious activities and education (SOC 21-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for directors
The BLS projects employment of directors to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 141,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 146,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 13,000 openings a year for directors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a director
The typical entry-level education for directors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a director earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alabama, $79,310) and the lowest (Louisiana, $29,540) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,160 people work as directors in the United States. At $52,100 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Director salary FAQ
How much does a director make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a director is $25.05. The middle half of directors earn between $21.16 and $35.45 per hour.
What is the highest director salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of directors earn more than $98,310 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a director make a year?
The median annual salary for a director is $52,100. The average (mean) wage of $62,100 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a director a well paid job?
At $52,100 a year, a director earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,160 people work as directors in the United States.
Which state pays directors the most?
Alabama has the highest median salary for directors at $79,310 a year. Texas ($75,420) and Georgia ($72,910) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a director a good career?
Employment of directors is projected to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 13,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a director?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for directors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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