Producers and directors
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$83,480
~$40/hr · ~$6,957/mo
US Jobs
167K
Faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
7/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 7/10
Producers and directors are highly exposed because their core work products—scripts, visual aesthetics, and edited video—are increasingly being generated or enhanced by AI tools. While the role requires significant human leadership and physical presence on set, the rapid advancement of generative AI in pre-production (scripting/storyboarding) and post-production (editing/VFX) allows a single director to do the work of a much larger team, potentially consolidating the industry.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CABEST VALUE | $127,590 | Above avg (114.7) | $111,191 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $122,210 | Above avg (117.6) | $103,963 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $101,840 | Average (101.6) | $100,246 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $87,920 | Below avg (89.1) | $98,668 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $98,920 | Average (101.0) | $97,960 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $106,730 | Above avg (112.6) | $94,749 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | $95,540 | Above avg (107.0) | $89,281 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $96,530 | Above avg (109.5) | $88,121 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $87,280 | Average (102.4) | $85,219 |
| Decatur, IL | $73,000 | Below avg (86.7) | $84,236 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $83,290 | Average (98.9) | $84,212 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $80,780 | Average (97.7) | $82,654 |
| Rochester, NY | $80,320 | Average (98.4) | $81,635 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $77,240 | Below avg (94.9) | $81,373 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $78,920 | Average (98.3) | $80,296 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+5% (Faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$40/hr
Monthly Income
~$6,957/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)