Talent Directors
Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.
Also called: Artistic Director · Casting Agent · Casting Coordinator · Casting Director · Extras Casting Director · Model Booker
Median pay (national)
$83,480
$43,060–$198,530 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
145,270
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.9%
~12,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for talent directors shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $198,530 versus $43,060 at the bottom 10% — 4.6x. The median of $83,480 leaves roughly 138% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.9% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 12,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $122,150, +46% vs the national median), while West Virginia sits lowest at $39,150 — a 212% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Salesforce software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
- Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
- Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
- Maintain talent files that include information such as performers' specialties, past performances, and availability.
- Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
- Read scripts and confer with producers to determine the types and numbers of performers required for a given production.
- Contact agents and actors to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.
- Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.
- Review performer information, such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, to decide whom to audition for parts.
- Attend or view productions to maintain knowledge of available actors.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Salesforce software
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows
- Oracle Java
- SAP software
- UNIX
- AgencyPro
- Appointment scheduling software
- Blogging software
- Database software
- Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP
- Video content editing software
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Communications and Media
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
- Fine Arts
- Sales and Marketing