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Casting Agencies in the US - Market Research Report (2015-2030)

Gavin Ross Gavin Ross New York, United States Last Updated: August 2025 NAICS OD5536

Revenue

$1.7bn

2025

$1.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

12,506

Businesses

8,756

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Casting Agencies in the US industry analysis

Casting agencies have responded to major changes in the entertainment landscape by embracing digital tools, remote workflows and expanded approaches to talent sourcing. The pandemic accelerated trends like virtual auditions and digital management platforms, letting agencies cast a wider net and streamline processes to meet new production needs. Industry leaders leaned into social media and AI-driven matching systems to connect clients with talent quickly, while producers sharpened their focus on inclusion and representation. These shifts made rapid, responsive casting a norm across streaming, gaming and advertising projects. During this period, industry revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 9.4% to $1.8 billion over the five years to 2025, including an increase of 2.4% in 2025 alone. Growth was driven by the surge in streaming content and higher advertising spending, though labor disputes and production stoppages weighed on the sector at times.

Trends and Insights

  • Digital adoption has transformed talent sourcing and client engagement, making casting faster, more inclusive and better aligned with shifting industry needs. Agencies that embrace technology and remote workflows are winning new opportunities as content production becomes more global and complex.
  • Digital casting platforms and social media have made placements faster and more targeted for clients. This trend means agencies must prioritize speed, diversity and flexible workflows to keep up with modern production demands.
  • Generous state tax incentives in the Southeast have attracted major studio investments and created a favorable market for diverse talent. This environment has allowed agencies and new performers to thrive as large-scale filming continues to expand in the region.
  • Varied client needs and the rise of niche, local and digital-first agencies keep the field highly fragmented. This fragmentation lets small firms and new entrants compete by targeting underrepresented markets and offering specialized services that large companies struggle to replicate.
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 9.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.7bn in 2025.

Trends and Insights

The adoption of digital technology transforms casting agency operations

  • Casting agencies have steadily moved away from paper records and traditional, in-person auditions to embrace digital-first workflows. Agencies now use AI-powered talent matching platforms, virtual auditions and online client management systems, which allow for faster sorting of candidates and easier coordination of complex casting calls.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Casting Agencies in the US
Revenue (2015-2030)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Agencies will deliver more value and efficiency as client standards rise

  • Casting agencies are experiencing a significant technology shift as clients expect lower costs, faster responses and outcome-based results. For example, platforms like Casting Frontier have implemented AI tools for automated talent searches and virtual auditions, speeding up the process and giving clients measurable performance data. These advancements have allowed agencies to manage bigger projects while holding costs steady or even reducing them.

Biggest companies in the Casting Agencies in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue
2025
Profit
2025
Profit Margin (%)
2025

There are no companies that hold a market share exceeding 5% in the Casting Agencies in the US industry.

Products & Services Segmentation

Casting Agencies in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Client placement, Online search and placement and Consulting and specialized training. Client placement is the largest segment of the Casting Agencies in the US.

Trends and Insights

Digital platforms, production trends and DEI demands are shaping client search and placement services

  • Client search and placement services cover sourcing, vetting and placing talent like actors, models and performers with clients in entertainment, advertising and live-event sectors to fill roles tied to specific projects.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in this industry are paid by movie and TV production companies to find actors and extras to cast in roles. Movie casting agencies typically work, at least partially, on a fixed-fee basis.

What's included in this industry?

Products and services covered in the Casting Agencies industry in the United States include Reviewing performer headshots, resumes and reels for consideration in roles, Booking and scheduling auditions, Hosting audition sessions and callback sessions to assess talent, Offering guidance to clients during talent selection and Providing billing services.

Companies

Companies covered in the Casting Agencies industry in the United States include .

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

Related terms covered in the Casting Agencies industry in the United States include talent, pilot, surety bond and callback session.

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 561311 - Casting Agencies in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Digital adoption has transformed talent sourcing and client engagement, making casting faster, more inclusive and better aligned with shifting industry needs. Agencies that e...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Digital casting platforms and social media have made placements faster and more targeted for clients. This trend means agencies must prioritize speed, diversity and flexible ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2025
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2025
  • Major market segmentation in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Generous state tax incentives in the Southeast have attracted major studio investments and created a favorable market for diverse talent. This environment has allowed agencie...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Varied client needs and the rise of niche, local and digital-first agencies keep the field highly fragmented. This fragmentation lets small firms and new entrants compete by ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

There are no companies that hold a market share exceeding 5% in the Casting Agencies in the US industry.

Analyst insights

No major companies dominate because clients want specialized casting and personalized service, leading to a highly fragmented market. Local relationships, niche expertise and...

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Shrinking cable subscriptions and rising broadband access are shifting casting demand from traditional TV to streaming platforms. This trend means agencies must adapt talent ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Persistent production slowdowns, labor disruptions and rising technology costs are putting pressure on profit with fewer high-value projects available. Agencies are respondin...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
  • Income Statement (2018-2023)
  • Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2023)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Casting Agencies industry in the United States in 2025?

The market size of the Casting Agencies industry in the United States is $1.7bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Casting Agencies industry in the United States in 2025?

There are 8,756 businesses in the Casting Agencies industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.6 % between 2020 and 2025.

How may import tariffs affect the Casting Agencies industry in the United States?

The Casting Agencies industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

How may export tariffs affect the Casting Agencies industry in the United States?

The Casting Agencies industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

Has the Casting Agencies industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Casting Agencies industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 9.4 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Casting Agencies industry in the United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Casting Agencies industry in the United States is expected to grow.

What does the Casting Agencies industry in the United States include?

Reviewing performer headshots, resumes and reels for consideration in roles and Booking and scheduling auditions are part of the Casting Agencies industry in the United States.

How competitive is the Casting Agencies industry in the United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Casting Agencies industry in the United States.

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.

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