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Producer and Director
Also called: Film Producer · TV Director · Theater Director · Video Producer
What producer and directors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a producer and director do?
Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials and other performing arts productions. The median pay is $90,360 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Years of production experience, and employment is projected to grow +4.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$90,360$43.44/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year12,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainYears of production experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs181,000Employment, 2025
What producer and directors do
Producers and directors make productions happen. Producers find projects, raise money, hire crews and manage budgets and schedules. Directors guide actors, shape the creative vision and oversee filming or staging.
A bachelor’s degree and some experience are typical. BLS projects about average growth; competition is strong.
Typical duties
- Develop projects
- Raise funding
- Hire cast and crew
- Manage budgets
- Direct actors
- Oversee filming
- Supervise editing
Work environment and schedule
Producers and directors work on sets, stages, studios and offices.
Schedule: Long, irregular hours during production.
A day in the life
- Call time on set.
- Block the first scene.
- Shoot scenes.
- Review the schedule.
See a full day in the life of a producer and director →
Producer and Director salary
Half of producer and directors earned more than $90,360 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $45,780 for the lowest 10% to $198,540 for the top 10%.
Full producer and director pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a producer and director
- Make your own projects
- Earn a film degree
- Work as a PA or assistant
- Produce or direct small work
- Grow
A bachelor’s degree in film, theater or communications and some experience are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a producer and director →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Storytelling
- Directing actors
- Budgeting
- Scheduling
- Editing
People skills
- Leadership
- Vision
- Communication
- Decision-making
All producer and director skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Creative leadership
- Exciting projects
- High earning potential
- Collaborative
Cons
- Very competitive
- Long hours
- Unstable work
- Budget pressure
Certifications and licenses
- Film degree: BFA or MFA.
- DGA membership: Directors Guild.
- PGA membership: Producers Guild.
- Set safety training: Helpful.
Career path
- Production Assistant: Entry.
- Assistant Director or Associate Producer: Learn.
- Director or Producer: Lead.
- Executive Producer: Lead programs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Producer and Director training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build a shot list for a scene and direct an actor through a scene, safety and how to land your first job.
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Producer and Director FAQ
How do producers and directors get started?
Often as production assistants and by making their own work.
Is a film degree required?
No, but it helps.
Is it competitive?
Very.
How much does a producer and director make?
The median annual wage for producer and directors was $90,360 ($43.44 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $45,780 and the highest 10% earned more than $198,540.
How long does it take to become a producer and director?
Most people need about Years of production experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in film, theater or communications and some experience are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a producer and director?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More producer and director questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-2012 (Producers and directors).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Producers and directors (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.