Business & Finance
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
Also called: Agent, Athlete Marketing Agent, Booker, Booking Agent
US median pay
$82,890
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+9.7%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
2,400
26,900 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
What they do day to day
- Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
- Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
- Keep informed of industry trends and deals.
- Conduct auditions or interviews to evaluate potential clients.
- Negotiate with managers, promoters, union officials, and other persons regarding clients' contractual rights and obligations.
- Confer with clients to develop strategies for their careers, and to explain actions taken on their behalf.
- Develop contacts with individuals and organizations, and apply effective strategies and techniques to ensure their clients' success.
- Schedule promotional or performance engagements for clients.
- Arrange meetings concerning issues involving their clients.
- Manage business and financial affairs for clients, such as arranging travel and lodging, selling tickets, and directing marketing and advertising activities.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Persuasion4.0/5
- Negotiation4.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Time Management3.8/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Sales and Marketing4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.8/5
- Fine Arts3.7/5
- Communications and Media3.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree41%
- High school diploma38%
- Master's degree17%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.