Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Talent Directors
Also called: Artistic Director, Casting Agent, Casting Coordinator, Casting Director
US median pay
$90,360
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
12,100
181,000 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.
What they do day to day
- Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
- Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
- Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.
- Contact agents and actors to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.
- Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.
- Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
- Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
- Review performer information, such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, to decide whom to audition for parts.
- Maintain talent files that include information such as performers' specialties, past performances, and availability.
- Read scripts and confer with producers to determine the types and numbers of performers required for a given production.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Negotiation3.4/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Coordination3.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Persuasion3.1/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.0/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Communications and Media3.6/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
- Administrative3.4/5
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 degree42%
- Associate's degree19%
- Master's degree11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.