What Do Director Do?
Director Example Interpret script, conduct rehearsals, and direct activities of cast and technical crew for stage, motion pictures, television, or radio programs.
A Day in the Life of a Director
- Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
- Perform producers' duties, such as securing financial backing, establishing and administering budgets, and recruiting cast and crew.
- Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
- Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
- Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
- Hold auditions for parts or negotiate contracts with actors determined suitable for specific roles, working in conjunction with producers.
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Things a Director Should Know How to Do
Directors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Director Jobs
- Artistic Director
- Stage Director
- Newscast Director
- Dramatic Coach
- Assistant Director
Job Demand for Directors
There were about 134,700 jobs for Director in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 16,500 new jobs for Director by 2026. There will be an estimated 14,100 positions for Director per year.

The states with the most job growth for Director are Utah, Georgia, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Director
The typical yearly salary for Directors is somewhere between $34,450 and $163,540.

Directors who work in California, New York, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Directors make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $57,040 |
Alaska | $61,280 |
Arizona | $62,760 |
Arkansas | $58,750 |
California | $115,080 |
Colorado | $68,290 |
Connecticut | $84,900 |
Delaware | $59,680 |
District of Columbia | $89,390 |
Florida | $70,630 |
Georgia | $84,570 |
Hawaii | $73,200 |
Idaho | $55,600 |
Illinois | $77,960 |
Indiana | $48,300 |
Iowa | $46,610 |
Kansas | $56,680 |
Kentucky | $60,530 |
Louisiana | $56,290 |
Maine | $51,310 |
Maryland | $78,760 |
Massachusetts | $70,480 |
Michigan | $65,910 |
Minnesota | $73,110 |
Mississippi | $44,310 |
Missouri | $65,560 |
Montana | $51,920 |
Nebraska | $51,620 |
Nevada | $67,190 |
New Hampshire | $59,830 |
New Jersey | $92,180 |
New Mexico | $75,110 |
New York | $115,610 |
North Carolina | $73,980 |
North Dakota | $42,570 |
Ohio | $60,590 |
Oklahoma | $55,670 |
Oregon | $68,280 |
Pennsylvania | $76,050 |
Rhode Island | $65,660 |
South Carolina | $57,200 |
South Dakota | $55,930 |
Tennessee | $65,040 |
Texas | $69,280 |
Utah | $67,800 |
Vermont | $58,760 |
Virginia | $69,750 |
Washington | $71,430 |
Wisconsin | $57,110 |
Wyoming | $45,930 |
What Tools & Technology do Directors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Directors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Extensible markup language XML
- YouTube
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
- Avid Technology Pro Tools
- Avid Technology Media Composer
- Graphics creation software
- Content management systems CMS
- Avid Technology iNEWS
- Broadcast Electronics AudioVAULT FleX
How do I Become a Director?
Education needed to be a Director:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Directors Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Director might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Director in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Donald Judge via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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