Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$98,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+18% vs US median
US median $82,890
State Rank
#2 of 17
4,860 employed here

How much do Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes make in California?

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes in California take home a median of $98,110 annually — roughly $47.17 an hour — which runs 18% above the national median of $82,890.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $73,530 while the top 10% make $298,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,010 and $163,570 a year.

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$73,530$35.35
25th percentile (early career)$76,010$36.54
50th percentile (median)$98,110$47.17
75th percentile (experienced)$163,570$78.64
90th percentile (top earners)$298,390$143.46

How California compares

California ranks 2nd out of 17 states and territories for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Florida$98,200
2California$98,110
3Colorado$95,530
4Texas$82,920
5Michigan$82,440

Working as Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes in California

Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($98,110) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes make in California?
The median Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes salary in California is $98,110 per year, or about $47.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $73,530 at the entry level to $298,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes about 18% more than the national median of $82,890. California ranks 2nd out of 17 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $98,110 a year. About 4,860 Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.