Also called: Movie Director, Television Director
Leads the creative vision of a movie or TV episode, guiding actors and crew shot by shot.
A director might start before sunrise walking the set with the cinematographer to plan the first shot, then spend 12 hours coaching actors through take after take. Between setups they answer a hundred questions about costumes, props, and camera moves. After wrap, they watch the day's footage (dailies) to see what worked.
BLS figures are for producers and directors combined. DGA minimums for feature directors exceed $20,000/week, but most directors work sporadically and early-career indie directors may earn very little.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Film school helps but isn't required; most directors build a reel through short films, music videos, or commercials over many years.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught, On-the-job training, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Film Production, Theater, Media Studies, English.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS projects 5% growth for producers and directors (2024-34), driven by streaming content.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds previs, storyboards and rough cuts, and AI video may trim smaller shoots; directing actors and owning the creative vision stay human.
Classes: Film/video production CTE, English literature, Theater, Art or photography.
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.