How much does a movie director make?
Answer: A typical movie director in the United States makes $90,360 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 143,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Movie director pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $45,780 | $90,360 | $198,540 | about 143,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $129,790 | about 34,000 |
| New Jersey | $119,840 | about 3,000 |
| New York | $107,550 | about 28,000 |
| District of Columbia | $104,270 | about 3,000 |
| Connecticut | $88,260 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience, location, and whether someone works in movies, streaming, TV, or theater. Some successful producers and directors may earn a share of ticket sales; schedules can also be long and irregular.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a movie director do?
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.
What's a typical day like?
A director studies the script, chooses actors, and works with the crew to plan each scene. On set, they guide performances and filming, then review edits and music to shape the finished movie.
How to get this job
In the US, a bachelor's degree in film, cinema, theater, or a related subject is typical. People build several years of set experience, often starting as assistants or interns.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like creating and leading and selling.
Did you know?
Some US producers and directors earn a share of ticket sales—and a few successful ones earn extraordinarily high amounts.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-2012.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY