Producers and Directors salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Producers and Directors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $76,860 a year ($36.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,270 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $90,360. Pay here is 41% lower than the California statewide median of $129,790. There are 0.91 producers and directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for producers and directors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $65,780 | $31.62 |
| Median | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| 75th percentile | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,270 | $78.02 |
| Average (mean) | $92,030 | $44.25 |
Half of producers and directors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,405 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,202.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,956.15 |
| Weekly | $1,478.08 |
| Hourly | $36.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Producers and Directors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $131,600 | 21,910 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,640 | 5,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,520 | 990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $97,360 | 470 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $92,510 | 110 |
| Vallejo, CA | $87,910 | 30 |
| Salinas, CA | $87,900 | 100 |
| Fresno, CA | $78,730 | 230 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $77,530 | 80 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $71,500 | 60 |
| Redding, CA | $63,010 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for producers and directors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $129,790 |
| New Jersey | $119,840 |
| New York | $107,550 |
| District of Columbia | $104,270 |
| Connecticut | $88,260 |
| Oregon | $87,460 |
| Rhode Island | $84,250 |
| Washington | $81,550 |
| Illinois | $81,080 |
| Massachusetts | $80,970 |
See Producers and Directors pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $35.17 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Graphic Designer | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Interior Designer | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,940 | $33.14 |
| Editor | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| Fashion Designer | $108,220 | $52.03 |
| Floral Designer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,440 | $39.63 |
| Photographer | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Technical Writer | $104,450 | $50.21 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a producers and directors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for producers and directors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $76,860 a year, or $36.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid producers and directors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of producers and directors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $162,270 a year. The top 25% earn $104,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for producers and directors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of producers and directors earn $65,780 or less.
How many producers and directors work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 180 producers and directors are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.