Median Salary
$90,360
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$43.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$198,540
entry level starts ~$45,780
Pay Grade
B+
strong pay · 143,000 employed
How much do Producers and Directors make?
The median pay for Producers and Directors in the United States is $90,360 per year — about $43.44 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $45,780, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $198,540.
That is $28,970 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Producers and Directors salary range by percentile
Half of all Producers and Directors earn between $62,670 and $134,800 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,780 | $22.01 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,670 | $30.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $90,360 | $43.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $134,800 | $64.81 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $198,540 | $95.45 |
|
Highest-paying states for Producers and Directors
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for Producers and Directors pay at $129,790 a year, followed by New Jersey ($119,840) and New York ($107,550). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $38,820 — a gap of $90,970 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Producers and Directors salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
California $129,790New Jersey $119,840New York $107,550District of Columbia $104,270Connecticut $88,260Oregon $87,460Rhode Island $84,250Washington $81,550Illinois $81,080Massachusetts $80,970Georgia $79,950Florida $79,920Maryland $79,350Nevada $78,480Colorado $78,060Minnesota $76,360Utah $76,350Pennsylvania $75,460Tennessee $73,020Delaware $72,650Texas $71,710Maine $71,320Ohio $69,350Arizona $67,320Missouri $66,460Wisconsin $66,390Hawaii $66,190Virginia $65,900Michigan $65,720North Carolina $63,700Alabama $63,340Louisiana $62,920Oklahoma $61,600New Hampshire $61,560Idaho $61,150Kansas $60,600Wyoming $60,420South Dakota $60,260Indiana $59,870Iowa $58,550North Dakota $57,870South Carolina $56,030Vermont $55,660Kentucky $54,550Alaska $54,060Montana $52,580Nebraska $52,580Mississippi $48,100West Virginia $46,660Arkansas $38,820
Workforce and education
About 143,000 people work as Producers and Directors in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $113,300 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Producers and Directors make in the United States?
The median Producers and Directors salary in the United States is $90,360 per year, or about $43.44 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,780, while the top 10% of earners make $198,540 or more.
How does Producers and Directors pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B+ (strong pay), the Producers and Directors median of $90,360 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Producers and Directors the most?
California is the highest-paying state for Producers and Directors, with a median salary of $129,790 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Producers and Directors need?
For most positions, a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Producers and Directors work in the United States?
About 143,000 people were employed as Producers and Directors in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.