Showrunner Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook
What does a Showrunner do?
Showrunners oversee the writing and production of a television series. They have complete creative control over the show and typically play a role in its creation. They are responsible for completing season and episode outlines and turning them into the network, delegating episodes to writers, and maintaining a consistent overall tone for the show.
How much does this career make?
Salaries for showrunners vary widely. For example, it has been reported that showrunners for the Cartoon Network make an average of $171,05 per year, while showrunners for FX Networks make $216,960 annually. The highest-paid showrunner in the industry is Shonda Rhimes, who signed a five-year deal with Netflix in 2017 for an estimated $150 million.
What impact does this career have towards the television industry?
Showrunners are the backbone of television productions. They ensure the writer’s room is staffed with capable talent to write and produce each show. They hire all personnel including producers and technical crew. Showrunners keep production on task and on target.
What is the job outlook for a Showrunner?
Analysts forecast that television revenue will grow to $231 billion by 2024. In addition, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in the production field (including Showrunners) will increase by 24% during the 2020-2030 decade.
How to kick off your career:
- Showrunners are a senior position, so start as a writer’s Assistant.
- Read teleplays to get a sense of structure and format.
- Explore the NYU x Rolling Stone x IndieWire Film + TV Industry Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Television Career Guide.
Learn from:
Maisha Closson, Film & TV Industry Essentials contributor,
Executive Producer for The L Word: Generation Q
Related Careers:
Executive Producer | Producer | News Writer | Associate Producer | Script Editor | Casting Director | Line Producer | Casting Assistant | Supervising Producer
