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Short Film Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Short Film Director make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Short Film Director in the United States is $128,982 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

However, a Short Film Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,505
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,777 to $134,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,575
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Short Film Director Salaries

A Short Film Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Short Film Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Short Film Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $85,365
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $111,297
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $131,316
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $162,489
  • Expert (over 8 years): $118,779
Levels Salary
Product/B... Level Short Film Director$85,365
Product/B... Level Short Film Director$111,297
Short Fil... Level Short Film Director$131,316
Product/B... Level Short Film Director$162,489
Product/B... Level Short Film Director$118,779
View as Graph

How Do Short Film Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Short Film Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $142,809.
  • California: $142,267.
  • Massachusetts: $140,371.

Top Paying Cities for Short Film Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $162,685
  • San Francisco: $160,904
  • Oakland: $157,513

Short Film Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Short Film Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Short Film Director positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Short Film Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Short Film Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$193,473$93.050%
Biotechnology$193,473$93.050%
Financial Services$193,473$93.050%
Pharmaceuticals$193,473$93.050%
Software & Networking$193,473$93.050%

Short Film Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Short Film Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$117,777
Average $128,982/year
$134,490
$9,815
Average $10,749/month
$11,208
$2,265
Average $2,480/week
$2,586
$57
Average $62/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $134,490 $11,208 $2,586 $65
Average $128,982 $10,749 $2,480 $62
25th Percentile $117,777 $9,815 $2,265 $57

Most common benefits for Short Film Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Short Film Director

Here are companies hiring for Short Film Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Short Film Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Short Film Director?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Short Film Director roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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