How much does a producer and director make?
The median producer and director in the United States earns $90,360 per year, about $43.44 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all producers and directors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-2012.
Producer and director salary range
Pay for producers and directors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $45,780 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $198,540. The average (mean) wage of $113,300 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 | $45,780 | $22.01 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $62,670 | $30.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $90,360 | $43.44 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $134,800 | $64.81 | |
| 90th percentile | $198,540 | $95.45 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for producers and directors (SOC 27-2012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Producer and director salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Producers and directors earn the most in California at $129,790 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $38,820. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $129,790 | 34,110 |
| New Jersey | $119,840 | 2,970 |
| New York | $107,550 | 27,990 |
| District of Columbia | $104,270 | 2,640 |
| Connecticut | $88,260 | 2,200 |
| Oregon | $87,460 | 1,640 |
| Rhode Island | $84,250 | 560 |
| Washington | $81,550 | 2,270 |
| Illinois | $81,080 | 3,170 |
| Massachusetts | $80,970 | 3,440 |
| Georgia | $79,950 | 5,010 |
| Florida | $79,920 | 7,160 |
| Maryland | $79,350 | 1,610 |
| Nevada | $78,480 | 1,630 |
| Colorado | $78,060 | 1,960 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 | 1,390 |
| Utah | $76,350 | 1,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,460 | 4,200 |
| Tennessee | $73,020 | 2,920 |
| Delaware | $72,650 | 150 |
| Texas | $71,710 | 6,610 |
| Maine | $71,320 | 400 |
| Ohio | $69,350 | 1,610 |
| Arizona | $67,320 | 1,720 |
| Missouri | $66,460 | 1,630 |
| Wisconsin | $66,390 | 1,600 |
| Hawaii | $66,190 | 510 |
| Virginia | $65,900 | 2,820 |
| Michigan | $65,720 | 2,310 |
| North Carolina | $63,700 | 3,500 |
| Alabama | $63,340 | 1,040 |
| Louisiana | $62,920 | 880 |
| Oklahoma | $61,600 | 770 |
| New Hampshire | $61,560 | 300 |
| Idaho | $61,150 | 380 |
| Kansas | $60,600 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $60,420 | 130 |
| South Dakota | $60,260 | 170 |
| Indiana | $59,870 | 1,480 |
| Iowa | $58,550 | 720 |
| North Dakota | $57,870 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $56,030 | 1,190 |
| Vermont | $55,660 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $54,550 | 950 |
| Alaska | $54,060 | 160 |
| Montana | $52,580 | 390 |
| Nebraska | $52,580 | 470 |
| Mississippi | $48,100 | 390 |
| West Virginia | $46,660 | 230 |
| Arkansas | $38,820 | 700 |
State median wages for producers and directors (SOC 27-2012), 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 producers and directors
The BLS projects employment of producers and directors to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 181,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 188,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,100 openings a year for producers and 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 producer and director
The typical entry-level education for producers and 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 producer and director earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $129,790) and the lowest (Arkansas, $38,820) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 143,120 people work as producers and directors in the United States. At $90,360 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Producer and director salary FAQ
How much does a producer and director make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a producer and director is $43.44. The middle half of producers and directors earn between $30.13 and $64.81 per hour.
What is the highest producer and director salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of producers and directors earn more than $198,540 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a producer and director make a year?
The median annual salary for a producer and director is $90,360. The average (mean) wage of $113,300 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 producer and director a well paid job?
At $90,360 a year, a producer and director earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 143,120 people work as producers and directors in the United States.
Which state pays producers and directors the most?
California has the highest median salary for producers and directors at $129,790 a year. New Jersey ($119,840) and New York ($107,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a producer and director a good career?
Employment of producers and directors is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a producer and director?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for producers and directors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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