Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes

SOC Code: 13-1011
Also known as:
Advance Agent, Agent, Artist Manager, Artist Representative, Artist's Manager
Median Annual Salary
$96,310
+8.7% growth (2024-2034)
2K
Openings/Year
21K
Current Jobs

What Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes Do

Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.

💰 Salary

$96,310
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+8.7%
Much faster than average

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

2K
Projected average per year

👔 Work Experience

Less than 5 years
Required before entry

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

21,400

Projected Employment (2034)

23,200

Related Careers

Advertising and promotions managers

$126,960 • -2.2% growth

Producers and directors

$83,480 • +4.9% growth

Public relations specialists

$69,780 • +4.8% growth

Writers and authors

$72,270 • +3.6% growth

Advertising sales agents

$61,460 • -6.4% growth

Top Skills Required

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Persuasion
Negotiation

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • 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.

Technology & Tools

Adobe Photoshop Apple macOS Facebook Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Salesforce software Zoom

📚 Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes:

Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management

1,230 degrees awarded • 43 colleges offer this program

Sports Communication

1,202 degrees awarded • 80 colleges offer this program

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General

982 degrees awarded • 69 colleges offer this program

Fine and Studio Arts Management

930 degrees awarded • 72 colleges offer this program

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Other

432 degrees awarded • 15 colleges offer this program

Best Colleges for Becoming a Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 Northwestern University Evanston, IL 81 A
2 Boston University Boston, MA 44 A
3 University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA 38 A
4 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 34 A
5 University of Georgia Athens, GA 31 A
6 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 19 A
7 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 152 B+
8 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 117 B+
9 Clemson University Clemson, SC 33 B+
10 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL 24 B+
11 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC 19 B+
12 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY 19 B+
13 Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY 17 B+
14 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 10 B+
15 University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD 10 B+
16 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN 9 B+
17 Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ 491 B
18 The New School New York, NY 236 B
19 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ 96 B
20 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 85 B

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes make?
The median annual salary for agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes is $96,310.
What education do agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes need?
Most agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes positions require a bachelor's degree. Common degree programs include Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management, Sports Communication, Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General.
Is becoming agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes a good career choice?
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes is projected to see +8.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 2,200 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes?
Top colleges for aspiring agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes include Northwestern University, Boston University, University of Virginia-Main Campus, University of Southern California, University of Georgia. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes?
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes may also be known as: Advance Agent, Agent, Artist Manager, Artist Representative, Artist's Manager, Artist's Representative, Athlete Manager, Athlete Marketing Agent, Athletic Agent, Author's Agent, Band Manager, Booker, Booking Agent, Booking Manager, Boxing Promoter, Business Agent, Business Manager, Circus Agent, Concert Promoter, Contracting Agent. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.