Theatre
Visual & Performing Arts · federal classification: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $31,229 | $28,175 to $32,858 | 8 | 0% |
| Associate's Degree | $27,311 | $27,161 to $30,146 | 5 | 0% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $39,248 | $34,205 to $42,891 | 296 | 68% |
| Master's Degree | $51,904 | $39,526 to $56,786 | 50 | 82% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +3% (2024 to 2034), about 46,800 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writers and Authors | $72,270 | +3.6% | 13,400 |
| Producers and Directors | $83,480 | +4.9% | 12,800 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,190 | +1.7% | 9,000 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $63,670 | -0.3% | 4,300 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $66,280 | +2.3% | 2,500 |
| Fashion Designers | $80,690 | +2% | 2,300 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.