Producers and Directors salary in California
Producers and Directors in California earn a median of $129,790 a year ($62.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 34,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $306,850 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $90,360. California ranks 1st of 50 states for producers and directors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.9 producers and directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $155,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for producers and directors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| 25th percentile | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Median | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| 75th percentile | $172,410 | $82.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $306,850 | $147.52 |
| Average (mean) | $155,750 | $74.88 |
Half of producers and directors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,815.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,407.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,991.92 |
| Weekly | $2,495.96 |
| Hourly | $62.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Producers and Directors salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $131,600 | 21,910 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,640 | 5,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,520 | 990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $97,360 | 470 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $92,510 | 110 |
| Vallejo, CA | $87,910 | 30 |
| Salinas, CA | $87,900 | 100 |
| Fresno, CA | $78,730 | 230 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $77,530 | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $76,860 | 180 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $71,500 | 60 |
| Redding, CA | $63,010 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for producers and directors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $129,790 |
| New Jersey | $119,840 |
| New York | $107,550 |
| District of Columbia | $104,270 |
| Connecticut | $88,260 |
| Oregon | $87,460 |
| Rhode Island | $84,250 |
| Washington | $81,550 |
| Illinois | $81,080 |
| Massachusetts | $80,970 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $43.83 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.82 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $93,090 | $44.76 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $44,530 | — |
| Dancer | — | $21.79 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $79,040 | — |
| Choreographer | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 | $49.34 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a producers and directors make in California?
The median salary for producers and directors in California is $129,790 a year, or $62.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $306,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid producers and directors make in California?
The top 10% of producers and directors in California earn at least $306,850 a year. The top 25% earn $172,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for producers and directors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,570 a year, and a quarter of producers and directors earn $83,110 or less.
How many producers and directors work in California?
About 34,110 producers and directors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.