Some talent agents work with college-level athletes.
Talent agents, also known as talent managers, work in a wide variety of high-profile industries. Their main duties include representing and promoting performers, artists and athletes to prospective employers, as well as handling their clients' business matters and contract negotiations. If you are considering pursuing a career as a talent agent, your salary will vary based on your work history, work location and place of employment.
Salary
As of May 2010, the national mean annual wage was $87,430 for talent agents and managers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 25th percentile earned an average of $38,480 per year, while the 75th percentile made an average annual salary of $105,870. These averages were based on years of experience and work location.
Top-Paying Industries
Talent agents can earn more if they work in top-paying industries. For example, talent managers in the motion picture and video industries earned an annual mean wage of $119,550 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of May 2010, other top-paying earners included managers of artists, athletes, entertainers and other public figures, with an annual mean wage of $97,820 per year. Colleges, universities and professional schools paid talent agents an average of $68,690 per year, and spectator sports paid talent agents $67,700 per year. Those working in the sound recording industries earned an annual mean wage of $70,320 per year.
Top-Paying Locations
Talent agents working in certain parts of the U.S. can earn more than their counterparts in other areas. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, talent agents in Connecticut earned an annual mean wage of $107,260 as of May 2010. Those in New York earned an average of just under $103,000 per year. Talent agents and managers in Illinois made an average of $91,970 per year, and those in Massachusetts earned an annual mean wage of $91,330. However, the top-paying location was California, where talent agents made an annual mean wage of $114,300 per year.
Other Considerations
In general, talent agents need to possess certain personality traits, including persistence, dependability and high stress tolerance. Important skill sets for this career include excellent negotiation skills, a sales mindset and conflict resolution abilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this profession had 22,700 employees in 2008 and was projected to grow much faster than average, or 20 percent faster than other industries between 2008 and 2018.
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