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Television director salary
Average television director salary
$49,400
Understanding Television Director Salaries
The average salary for a television director in the United States is approximately $49,400 annually. This figure can vary based on several factors, including experience level, geographic location, and the specific projects directors undertake. For instance, directors in major markets like Los Angeles or New York may command higher salaries due to the competitive nature of the industry.
According to recent data, California and New York are among the highest-paying states for television directors, offering salaries significantly above the national average. In addition, directors working on high-profile projects such as popular television series or major live events typically earn more than those in lower-budget productions.
Salary Breakdown by Experience
Entry-level directors may start with salaries around $35,000, while those with several years of experience can expect to earn upwards of $70,000. Senior roles or those involved in directing well-known series can exceed $100,000 annually. Understanding these salary dynamics is crucial for aspiring directors planning their career paths.
Opportunities for Advancement
For those looking to increase their earnings, networking and gaining experience in various production roles can help. Additionally, pursuing advanced training or education in film and television can enhance job prospects and salary potential.
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Where can a Television Director earn more?
Television director salary estimates from across the web
Average television director salary by state
The average television director salary in New York, California, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average television director salary states are Iowa, South Carolina, and Hawaii.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for television directors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $68,031 | $32.71 |
| 2 | California | $63,225 | $30.40 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $64,752 | $31.13 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $59,938 | $28.82 |
| 5 | Illinois | $59,271 | $28.50 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $57,639 | $27.71 |
| 7 | Nevada | $52,926 | $25.45 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $54,194 | $26.05 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $56,874 | $27.34 |
| 10 | Maryland | $58,269 | $28.01 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $49,874 | $23.98 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $49,961 | $24.02 |
| 13 | Texas | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| 14 | Washington | $54,525 | $26.21 |
| 15 | Oregon | $50,384 | $24.22 |
| 16 | Michigan | $51,294 | $24.66 |
| 17 | Georgia | $49,470 | $23.78 |
| 18 | Delaware | $54,549 | $26.23 |
| 19 | Virginia | $49,692 | $23.89 |
| 20 | Ohio | $46,665 | $22.44 |
| 21 | Utah | $44,744 | $21.51 |
| 22 | Vermont | $45,994 | $22.11 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $46,556 | $22.38 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $41,267 | $19.84 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $45,754 | $22.00 |
| 26 | Idaho | $45,351 | $21.80 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $43,794 | $21.05 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $46,755 | $22.48 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $45,562 | $21.90 |
| 30 | Alaska | $47,321 | $22.75 |
| 31 | Arizona | $44,505 | $21.40 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $44,479 | $21.38 |
| 33 | Alabama | $39,974 | $19.22 |
| 34 | Colorado | $47,079 | $22.63 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $38,792 | $18.65 |
| 36 | Indiana | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| 37 | Montana | $41,541 | $19.97 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $41,439 | $19.92 |
| 39 | Iowa | $36,815 | $17.70 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $35,674 | $17.15 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $40,174 | $19.31 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $35,195 | $16.92 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $32,657 | $15.70 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $40,710 | $19.57 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $38,316 | $18.42 |
| 46 | Kansas | $38,844 | $18.68 |
| 47 | Missouri | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| 48 | Maine | $40,669 | $19.55 |
| 49 | Florida | $37,032 | $17.80 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $36,019 | $17.32 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $36,520 | $17.56 |
Highest paying cities for television directors
The highest-paying cities for television directors are New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, and Edison, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $68,107 | $32.74 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $62,481 | $30.04 |
| 3 | Edison, NJ | $57,592 | $27.69 |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $36,707 | $17.65 |
Television director salary details
A television director's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $88,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a television director's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 | $7,333 | $42 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| Average | $49,400 | $4,117 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying television director jobs
The highest paying types of television directors are corporate director, senior technical director, and technical director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Account Manager | $100,010 | $8,334 | $48.08 | 154,495 |
| Member, Technical Staff | $108,824 | $9,069 | $52.32 | 148,787 |
| Video Production Manager | $65,617 | $5,468 | $31.55 | 59,387 |
| Director Technical Development | $126,753 | $10,563 | $60.94 | 137,657 |
| Director, Video Production | $76,710 | $6,393 | $36.88 | 60,651 |
| Corporate Director | $154,906 | $12,909 | $74.47 | 66,254 |
Top companies hiring television directors now:
Which companies pay television directors the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Core Creative | $56,107 | $26.97 |
| 2 | PGA Tour Holdings Inc | $34,202 | $16.44 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Television director salary trends
The average television director salary has risen by $3,711 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average television director earned $45,689 annually, but today, they earn $49,400 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for television directors over the last decade.
Compare television director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average television director salary over time
Compare television director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Television director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,400 | $23.75 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $48,100 | $23.13 | +3.7% |
| 2024 | $46,300 | $22.28 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | $46,300 | $22.26 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $45,900 | $22.06 | +3.5% |
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