Producers and Directors salary in Illinois
Producers and Directors in Illinois earn a median of $81,080 a year ($38.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,040 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $90,360. Illinois ranks 9th of 50 states for producers and directors pay. There are 0.52 producers and directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $95,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for producers and directors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| 25th percentile | $58,790 | $28.26 |
| Median | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| 75th percentile | $106,320 | $51.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,040 | $81.27 |
| Average (mean) | $95,920 | $46.11 |
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 | $6,756.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,378.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,118.46 |
| Weekly | $1,559.23 |
| Hourly | $38.98 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $85,040 | 2,590 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $82,750 | 670 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $66,420 | 50 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $56,640 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $55,190 | 60 |
| Peoria, IL | $43,080 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $41,250 | 80 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.12 |
| Actor | — | $15.00 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $49,070 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $19.69 |
| Choreographer | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $22.87 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for producers and directors in Illinois is $81,080 a year, or $38.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid producers and directors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of producers and directors in Illinois earn at least $169,040 a year. The top 25% earn $106,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for producers and directors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,250 a year, and a quarter of producers and directors earn $58,790 or less.
How many producers and directors work in Illinois?
About 3,170 producers and directors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.