Q4 2025 Insights

The workforce in the Media, Arts, & Entertainment industries presents a paradox of higher-than-average earnings against pervasive job market instability and deep worker anxiety. According to data from the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual wages for media and communication occupations, arts and design occupations, and entertainment and sports occupations are all notably higher than the median for all US occupations. However, the BLS also projects that employment growth in media, communication, arts, and design occupations will be slower than the average for all occupations over the next decade. The industry's employment growth is primarily driven by the need to replace workers who leave the field, rather than significant expansion. This indicates that while the pay can be good for those who secure roles, the overall number of available jobs is not increasing substantially, pointing to an intensely competitive environment.

Worker sentiments across socials over the last forty-five days reveal a profound sense of crisis and disillusionment, particularly in the film, television, and animation sectors. Workers frequently describe the industry as "dying" or being in a state of continuous "downfall," driven by the bursting of the "streaming bubble". During the streaming wars, production expanded rapidly, creating a temporary boom in jobs, but investors have since pulled back, leading to sharp budget cuts, fewer productions, and mass layoffs. This has resulted in a market where there are significantly more qualified professionals than available jobs, making the process of finding work extremely difficult, even for experienced veterans. The sentiment is that the glamour of the industry is a myth, masking a culture of overwork, exploitation, and abuse, where long hours are normalized and pay is not commensurate with the grueling schedule, effectively amounting to the equivalent of two full-time jobs.