Talent Agents and Scouts

Earnings for agents vary greatly, depending on the success of the agent and his or her clients. An agency receives 10 to 15 percent of a client's fee for a project. An agent is then paid a commission by the agency as well as a base salary. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes earned a median annual salary of $96,310 in May 2024. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $48,530 a year, while the highest paid 25 percent earned more than $168,850 annually.

Salaries for fashion model agents depend on the agent's experience, the size and location of the agency, and the models represented. An agent with previous agency experience can earn about $50,000 per year or more. Agents at the top of the industry may make in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some agencies choose to pay their agents a commission based on fees generated by model/client bookings. These commissions normally range from 10 to 15 percent of booking totals.

Literary agents also generally earn median salaries of $50,000, with a rare few making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Commissions range from 4 to 20 percent of their clients' earnings.

Experienced agents who work full-time at agencies typically receive health and retirement benefits, bonuses, and paid travel and accommodations.