What Is the Typical Base Salary for a Director of a Movie?

Movie directors ensure movies are completed on time and under budget.

There were 83,520 movie producers and directors in the United States in 2009, according to a May 2010 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Movie directors interview and hire actors and other cast members for movies. They also film various scenes or segments of films based on movie scripts. These professionals also approve all background designs, costumes and movie sets. Most movie directors have bachelor's or master's degrees in directing or related fields. They usually earn annual salaries.

Salary and Benefits

Movie directors earned annual median salaries of $68,440, according to the May 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Median salaries appear in the exact middle of salary lists, which can vary somewhat from average or mean salary figures. The middle half earned salaries between $45,470 and $111,720 per year. These professionals earned average annual salaries of $88,610. Movie directors can also receive royalties on their movies based on viewership. Most belong to unions. Hence, they are usually eligible for benefits such as life and hospital insurance, paid holidays and vacations and retirement savings plans.

Salary by Region

Movie directors' salaries are often higher in markets where the most movies are filmed. For example, they earned their highest annual salaries in California at $126,360, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also earned comparatively high salaries in New York of $111,930 per year. Both of these cities are known for producing many movies. Those in the District of Columbia earned closer to average salaries of $90,820 per year. And those in Georgia and Texas earned significantly lower annual salaries of $71,710 and $56,120, respectively.

Salary by Nonmetropolitan Area

Movie directors' salaries can also vary in certain rural or nonmetropolitan areas. Often, the salaries are higher depending on the type of scenery or background is required. For example, those in the Hawaii/Maui/Kauai areas earned the highest salaries at $101,510 per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics' information. They made significantly lower salaries in east central Pennsylvania and northwest Minnesota at $62,910 and $56,950 per year, respectively. And those in southeastern Wyoming earned only $49,400 per year.

Job Outlook

Jobs for movie industry professionals, including movie directors, are expected to increase 11 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to December 2009 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This job growth rate is about average for most professions or careers. Much of the job growth will occur among cable and satellite movie companies as well as independent film companies.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition: Actors, Producers, and Directors; December 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment Statistics: Producers and Directors; May 2010
• Education-Portal.com: Movie Directors: Job Description and Requirements for Starting a Career Directing Movies