Producers and Directors Salary
The median pay for a producers and directors in Washington is $81,550/year ($39.21/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $168K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $79,943 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 33.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in Washington?
About producers and directors
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What this looks like in Washington
Producers and directors pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $82K locally vs. $90K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level producers and directors (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $168K or more, a $120K spread from bottom to top.
Producers and Directors salary by metro in Washington
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $92K | +13% | 40 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $87K | +6% | 1,660 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $75K | -8% | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $61K | -25% | 150 |
Compare to other states
Track producers and directors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a producers and director afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 33.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/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 producers and directors in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new producers and directors typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,869/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 64% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is producers and director a high-paying job in Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $82K locally vs. $90K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for producers and directors?
Washington pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $90K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $80K — below the national median.
How much do producers and directors make in Washington?
The median is $81,550 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,810, and experienced producers and directors can clear $167,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,480/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 33.4% 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 producers and directors salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 producers and directors salary is worth about $79,943 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do producers and directors 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.