The minimum wage rates for directors in America are established by agreements between producers and the unions who represent directors. One such union is the Directors Guild of America (DGA). The amount directors make depends on the entertainment medium they’re working in, the audience they
reach, and the success they achieve.
DGA provides producers, and its members, with a list of minimum pay rates for different kinds of work. For example, the minimum for guild directors working on a short film or documentary is about $12,000 a week. For high budget theatrical films it is just over $16,500 per week.
Music video and commercial directors are usually paid daily rates, which depend on the size of the production. Of course, directors in high demand can negotiate contracts for amounts much higher than the minimums.
Theater directors’ minimums are negotiated by the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC). Earnings for theatre directors vary widely, depending on the scale of the productions worked on. Minimum rates for directors working in small theaters range from about $1,200 to $10,000 for a 3 to 4-week run (plus weekly royalty fees). The best compensated theater directors work on Broadway, where they can earn over $100,000 a show.
As freelancers, directors work independently and negotiate their earnings with the broadcasting, production, or theater company that has
employed them. This means that they can often earn rates well above the negotiated minimums. Some rely on agents to do this negotiating.
While it may seem that directors earn high weekly wages, it’s important to remember that production lengths can vary—some only last a few days, for example—and directors often have periods without any earnings. Moreover, some settle for very little compensation, taking on projects simply for the experience or out of passion for the subject matter.
reach, and the success they achieve.
DGA provides producers, and its members, with a list of minimum pay rates for different kinds of work. For example, the minimum for guild directors working on a short film or documentary is about $12,000 a week. For high budget theatrical films it is just over $16,500 per week.
Music video and commercial directors are usually paid daily rates, which depend on the size of the production. Of course, directors in high demand can negotiate contracts for amounts much higher than the minimums.
Theater directors’ minimums are negotiated by the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC). Earnings for theatre directors vary widely, depending on the scale of the productions worked on. Minimum rates for directors working in small theaters range from about $1,200 to $10,000 for a 3 to 4-week run (plus weekly royalty fees). The best compensated theater directors work on Broadway, where they can earn over $100,000 a show.
As freelancers, directors work independently and negotiate their earnings with the broadcasting, production, or theater company that has
employed them. This means that they can often earn rates well above the negotiated minimums. Some rely on agents to do this negotiating.
While it may seem that directors earn high weekly wages, it’s important to remember that production lengths can vary—some only last a few days, for example—and directors often have periods without any earnings. Moreover, some settle for very little compensation, taking on projects simply for the experience or out of passion for the subject matter.