Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
Also called: Talent Agents
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
Also called: Acquisition Agent, Advance Agent, Agent, Artist Manager, Artist Representative, Artist's Manager
Median pay
$82,890
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,010 – $284,570
People employed
12,620
Holland code
ESC
Enterprising · Social · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 4.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 5.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes pay by state
Annual median pay by state (17 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes salary in every state →
What agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes do
- 01Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
- 02Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
- 03Keep informed of industry trends and deals.
- 04Conduct auditions or interviews to evaluate potential clients.
- 05Negotiate with managers, promoters, union officials, and other persons regarding clients' contractual rights and obligations.
- 06Confer with clients to develop strategies for their careers, and to explain actions taken on their behalf.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Fine Arts
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
- Talent Directors94% · group pay
- Public Relations Specialists92% · −10%
- Advertising and Promotions Managers91% · +61%
- Public Relations Managers90% · +77%
- Fundraising Managers86% · +51%
Change into agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Talent Directors94% · $90,360
- Public Relations Specialists89% · $74,750
- Advertising Sales Agents81% · $64,820
- Writers and Authors78% · $76,910
- Insurance Sales Agents76% · $62,280
Majors that lead here
- Sports Communication
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General
- Fine and Studio Arts Management
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Other
- Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.