Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Producers and directors typically need a bachelor’s degree. They also typically need several years of experience working on set in film, TV, stage, or other productions in positions such as actors, film and video editors, or cinematographers or in related occupations, such as theater managers. PayThe median annual wage for producers and directors was $90,360 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of producers and directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 12,100 openings for producers and directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for producers and directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of producers and directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about producers and directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for producers and directors was $90,360 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of producers and directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 12,100 openings for producers and directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for producers and directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of producers and directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about producers and directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of producers and directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 12,100 openings for producers and directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for producers and directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of producers and directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about producers and directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Producers and directors make business and creative decisions about film, television, stage, and other productions.
Work Environment
Producers and directors are often under pressure to finish their work on time. Most producers and directors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Their schedules may vary.
How to Become a Producer or Director
Producers and directors typically need a bachelor’s degree. They also typically need several years of experience working on set in film, TV, stage, or other productions in positions such as actors, film and video editors, or cinematographers or in related occupations, such as theater managers.
Pay
The median annual wage for producers and directors was $90,360 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of producers and directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 12,100 openings for producers and directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for producers and directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of producers and directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about producers and directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Producers and directors are often under pressure to finish their work on time. Most producers and directors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Their schedules may vary.
How to Become a Producer or Director
Producers and directors typically need a bachelor’s degree. They also typically need several years of experience working on set in film, TV, stage, or other productions in positions such as actors, film and video editors, or cinematographers or in related occupations, such as theater managers.
Pay
The median annual wage for producers and directors was $90,360 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of producers and directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 12,100 openings for producers and directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for producers and directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of producers and directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about producers and directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for producers and directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of producers and directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about producers and directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about producers and directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.