In the United States, top-tier directors can command millions of dollars for their services on a single film. A-list directors, such as Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and Martin Scorsese, can reportedly earn well over $10 million per movie, excluding additional compensation from profits and royalties.
Mid-level directors, who have several successful films under their belts but may not have the same degree of name recognition as the A-listers, can earn anywhere from $1 million to $5 million per project.
For first-time directors or those with limited experience, the salary can be significantly lower, ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to around $1 million for smaller independent films.
In addition to their base salaries, movie directors may also receive bonuses and incentives tied to the commercial success of their films. For instance, some contracts include a percentage of the box-office revenue or backend profits, giving directors a share in the financial success of their projects.
It's important to note that these figures represent the high end of the spectrum, and most movie directors earn significantly less. Additionally, salaries are influenced by the geographical location of the film production, with Hollywood typically offering higher compensation than other parts of the world.