Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes Salary
The median pay for a agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $83,360/year ($40.08/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $250K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $128K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $76,561 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month, about 42.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $83K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria tracks closely to the national median, $83K locally vs. $83K nationwide, a 1% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,246/month, which is 42.9% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K. Top earners bring in $250K or more, a $212K spread from bottom to top.
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $98K | +18% | 870 |
| California | $98K | +18% | 4,860 |
| Colorado | $96K | +15% | 80 |
| Texas | $83K | +0% | 320 |
| Michigan | $82K | -1% | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $82K | -1% | 40 |
| Connecticut | $81K | -2% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $81K | -2% | 170 |
| New York | $80K | -4% | 2,660 |
| Arkansas | $79K | -5% | 30 |
| Ohio | $77K | -7% | 100 |
| Tennessee | $75K | -9% | 730 |
| Wisconsin | $75K | -10% | 40 |
| Washington | $75K | -10% | 120 |
| Virginia | $73K | -11% | 110 |
| Arizona | $60K | -27% | 160 |
| Illinois | $57K | -32% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 17 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athlete afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $83K, rent takes 42.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,308/month. At HUD’s $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 97% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athlete a high-paying job in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $83K locally vs. $83K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $83K median vs. the U.S. average of $83K — that’s +1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — below the national median.
How much do agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $83,360 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,470, and experienced agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes can clear $249,990. The mean (average) is $127,530, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,232/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 42.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes salary is worth about $76,561 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.