Also called: Casting Associate
Finds and recommends the actors for every role, from stars to one-line parts.
A casting director reads a script and imagines the people in it, then watches hundreds of self-tape auditions, runs callback sessions, and negotiates with agents. They're always scouting talent at plays and comedy shows.
Approximate. Union (Teamsters Local 399) casting directors on studio projects earn much more than indie casting staff.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Usually starts as a casting assistant; no specific degree needed.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Theater, Film Production, Communications.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Tracks producer/director growth.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI sorts self-tape submissions and suggests matches; judging talent and chemistry and negotiating deals stay with people.
Classes: Theater, Psychology, Speech, Business.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-2012.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.