Film Director Salary in the United States

Didn't find your job?
Click

How much does a Film Director make?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Film Director in the United States is $161,064. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $143,522 to $185,171, with most professionals earning between $127,551 and $207,119.

Search Film Director Jobs the United States

How to Become a CTO

Develop a Job description
Pay Equity
2024 Compensation Trend
Benefits Consulting
Salary range for a Film Director
$143,522 to $185,171
Employers: Find Surveys For This Job
Employers: Price Your Company Jobs
download asset banner
Facing Salary Structure Challenges? Let Our Expert Guide You
The job market is increasingly challenging. Our whitepaper, Navigating the Challenges of Creating Salary Structures, offers guidance on creating salary structures. Provide your phone number and work email to download the full version.
We will handle your contact details in line with our Privacy Policy. If you prefer not to receive marketing emails from Salary.com, you can opt-out out of marketing communications at any time by clicking unsubscribe.

Search Film Director Job Openings

Job Openings for Film Director

Film Director Salary in Major Cities

This chart shows the salary comparison for Film Director between major cities. San Francisco City consistently ranks #1 as of April 01, 2025. Click on the chart to see the detail salary data for Film Director in each city.

Film Director Salary by City

Click to see the salary for Film Director in these major U.S. cities.
City Name Average Salary
San Francisco, CA $201,153
Washington, DC $178,330
Miami, FL $154,751
Chicago, IL $166,444
Boston, MA $179,635
New York, NY $186,657
Dallas, TX $159,051
If you'd like know Film Director Salary in other cities, then please select a city in

Average Salary Range for Film Director

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
143522
185171
161064

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
158646
224090
187718
What is the average salary for Film Director in 2025?
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Film Director in the United States. The base salary for Film Director ranges from $143,522 to $185,171 with the average base salary of $161,064. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $158,646 to $224,090 with the average total cash compensation of $187,718.

View Average Salary for Film Director as table

Average Salary Average Salary Range
Base Salary $161,064 $143,522 - $185,171
Bonus $26,654 $15,124 - $38,920
Total Pay $187,718 $158,646 - $224,090
* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.
* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Estimate Salary for Film Director online for free

Salary.com Estimate Salary Tool provides free, accurate and real-time salary for thousands of careers. Please enter the following pay factors for Film Director, to get a real-time salary target. If you want to get more detailed salary information, please view Professional Salary Report
Select Relevant job experience
  • Select Relevant job experience
  • 0 years
  • 1 years
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
  • 8 years
  • 9 years
  • 10 years
  • 11 years
  • 12 years
  • 13 years
  • 14 years
  • 15 years
  • 16 years
  • 17 years
  • 18 years
Select person you report to
  • Select person you report to
  • Supervisor
  • Manager
  • Director
  • Senior Management
  • CEO / Board of Directors
  • Other
Select Level of education
  • Select Level of education
  • I have not earned a degree
  • High School Diploma or Tech Certificate
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or MBA
  • JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent
Select number of people you manager
  • Select number of people you manager
  • 0
  • 1 - 5
  • 6 - 10
  • 11 - 25
  • 26 - 100
  • 100 +
Your target salary is ?
143522
185171

 

Comments about Film Director

What's the difference between Film Festival Director and Film Director?
According to our latest salary estimation on April 01, 2025. The average salary of Film Director is $161,064, and the average salary of Film Festival Director is $77,753. The average salary of Film Festival Director is lower than Film Director. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
I am a Film Director, which location’s salary is higher, Riverside, CA or Bossier City, LA?
Riverside, CA typically sees higher pay than Bossier City, LA for Film Director. a Film Director Salary in Riverside, CA is $169,939 as of April 01, 2025; a Film Director Salary in Bossier City, LA is $147,760 as of April 01, 2025. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )

Film Director Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the salary of a Film Director vary from city to city?
The cost of living is tied to salaries. If the expenses are higher in a particular city, then the wage level will be higher as well to afford the people can opportunity to live there. This is why you're always going to make more money in New York City for example, than in a small town. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
What are the Pay Factors for Film Director?
Salary ranges for a Film Director can vary widely, depending on the city and several other pay factors, including (but not limited to) education level, certifications, additional skills, and work experience. Click here to view Eight Factors That Can Affect Your Pay ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
How the Pay Factors Influence Your Pay?
Salaries are ultimately dictated by the position being applied to, and hiring company, but there are several important pay factors that come into play based on your individual history that could impact your value to the company. Salary.com's Personal Salary Report will analyze these factors for you to help you maximize your earning potential. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )

Recently searched related titles: Drama Director, Vp Production, Video Director

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

Jobs with a similar salary range to Film Director : Broadcast Director, Vp Of Production

Last Update: April 01, 2025