SOC 3416 Culture, media and sports occupations

Arts officers, producers and directors Salary

Median salary £39,643 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £40,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For arts officers, producers and directors, £45,534 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +17% versus the national average. Experienced arts officers, producers and directors (top 25%) earn over £51,644.

About this role

Arts officers, producers and directors apply specialist skills in arts, media, sport or fitness contexts. They create content, deliver coaching or instruction, manage programmes and contribute to the cultural, media or sporting life of their communities and organisations.

Key responsibilities

Delivering specialist services, coaching or content creation
Developing programmes, schedules or creative outputs
Engaging with clients, audiences or participants
Maintaining equipment, facilities or technical standards
Staying current with developments in their field

Qualifications and entry routes

Qualifications vary widely by role. May require degree-level study, industry certifications (e.g., CIMSPA for fitness, NCTJ for media), or demonstrable portfolio/track record. Coaching roles require governing body qualifications.

Career outlook

Competitive sectors with diverse career paths. Digital media, esports and wellness are growth areas. Portfolio careers and freelancing are common.

Key skills

Specialist technical skills Communication Creativity People skills Adaptability

Common industries

Media and broadcasting
Arts and culture
Sport and leisure
Fitness and wellbeing
Education

Data coverage

SOC code 3416

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 23,000

Median Salary

£39,643

Mean Salary

£43,497

Jobs (000s)

23k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £30,051Median: £39,643P75: £51,644

P10: --P25: £30kMedian: £40kP75: £52kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£30,051

0-2 years

Mid Level

£30,051

3-7 years

Senior

£51,644

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +72% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +11.3%Real growth: -19.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 14.1%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£39,643

Full-time Only

£45,534

Full-time premium: +£5,891

Arts officers, producers and directors salary: common questions

How much do arts officers, producers and directors earn in the UK?

Arts officers, producers and directors earn a median of £45,534 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £30,051 and £51,644.

Is £45,534 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for arts officers, producers and directors?

Entry-level arts officers, producers and directors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £30,051, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £30,660.

Have arts officers, producers and directors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median arts officers, producers and directors pay has risen from £38,336 to £45,534 — +19% in cash terms, or -14% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for arts officers, producers and directors?

Male arts officers, producers and directors earn a median £43,413 and female arts officers, producers and directors £37,303 — a gap of +14% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).