While you might think Hollywood's golden age has passed, the sheer magnitude of today's industry—where over 92% of Oscar-nominated films are shot locally, the city’s soundstages buzz with 78% of all scripted TV pilots, and an army of 733,000 workers generates billions—proves Los Angeles remains the undeniable, beating heart of global entertainment.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Los Angeles County hosted the production of 512 major feature films, accounting for 46% of all U.S. feature film production
- The Los Angeles entertainment industry generated over $14.9 billion in direct economic output from film production in 2022
- In 2023, 78% of all scripted TV pilots were shot in Los Angeles, totaling 145 pilots
- In 2023, Los Angeles produced 2,450 hours of scripted television content
- 85% of late-night talk shows are taped in LA studios weekly, totaling 1,200 episodes/year
- LA hosted 320 reality TV seasons in 2022, generating 4,500 hours
- In 2022, LA's entertainment industry contributed $30.6 billion to the regional GDP
- Film and TV production spending in LA reached $11.8 billion in 2023
- Tourism from film sites generated $2.1 billion in LA visitor spending in 2022
- LA music industry generated $5.8 billion in economic activity in 2022
- Grammy nominations from LA artists: 1,250 in 2024 ceremony
- Live music venues in LA hosted 12,500 concerts in 2023
- The LA entertainment workforce totals 733,000 jobs as of 2023
- Union membership in LA entertainment: 180,000 IATSE/SAG-AFTRA in 2022
- Average salary for LA film directors: $285,000 annually in 2023
Los Angeles dominates film and television production, generating significant economic impact.
Economic Impact and Revenue
- In 2022, LA's entertainment industry contributed $30.6 billion to the regional GDP
- Film and TV production spending in LA reached $11.8 billion in 2023
- Tourism from film sites generated $2.1 billion in LA visitor spending in 2022
- Streaming revenue from LA-produced content: $45 billion globally in 2023
- Tax credits claimed by LA productions: $650 million in 2023
- Hotel bookings from entertainment crews: $1.2 billion in LA 2022
- Retail spending by industry workers: $4.5 billion annually in LA
- Real estate value of studio lots in LA: $25 billion in 2023 appraisals
- Venture capital invested in LA entertainment tech: $3.2 billion in 2022
- Box office from LA-produced films: $12.4 billion domestic in 2023
- Home video sales from LA titles: $1.8 billion in 2022
- Merchandising revenue tied to LA films/TV: $9.5 billion globally 2023
- Pay TV licensing fees for LA content: $7.3 billion in 2022
- Ad spend on LA-produced shows: $6.8 billion in 2023 upfronts
- Ancillary revenue from LA music soundtracks: $2.4 billion in 2022
- Event ticketing from LA premieres: $450 million in 2023
- Brand partnerships in LA productions: $1.1 billion value in 2022
- Crowdfunding for LA indies: $180 million raised in 2023
- NFT sales from LA entertainment IP: $320 million in 2022 peak
Economic Impact and Revenue Interpretation
While Los Angeles' entertainment industry churns out dreams, it's meticulously quantified in a ledger showing that, from the $45 billion global streaming harvest to the $450 million premiere ticket, every script, set, and soundtrack is a cog in a formidable $100+ billion economic engine that doesn't just make movies—it literally builds, sells, and taxes the city around it.
Employment and Labor
- The LA entertainment workforce totals 733,000 jobs as of 2023
- Union membership in LA entertainment: 180,000 IATSE/SAG-AFTRA in 2022
- Average salary for LA film directors: $285,000 annually in 2023
- Below-the-line crew jobs in LA: 450,000 filled yearly
- Diversity in LA hires: 28% BIPOC in production roles 2023
- Women in LA directing roles: 22% of features in 2022
- Freelance grips in LA: 12,000 registered, 95% utilization 2023
- VFX artists employed in LA: 28,500 in 2022
- Casting associate positions in LA: 3,200 open annually
- Production coordinators in LA TV: 4,500 hires in 2023
- Stunt coordinators: 1,800 licensed in LA 2022
- Location managers certified in LA: 950 active 2023
- Script coordinators for LA shows: 1,200 employed 2022
- Boom operators union jobs in LA: 2,200 in 2023
- Hair stylists for entertainment in LA: 5,400 licensed 2022
- Prop masters in LA productions: 1,100 senior roles 2023
- Transportation captains for LA shoots: 850 employed 2022
- Post-production editors in LA: 9,200 freelancers 2023
- Colorists certified in LA: 1,500 active 2022
- Foley artists working in LA: 320 specialists 2023
- Music editors for film/TV in LA: 950 union members 2022
- Publicists for LA talent: 2,400 PR pros 2023
- Agents representing LA talent: 1,800 licensed 2022
- Managers for actors/musicians in LA: 3,500 firms 2023
- Internships in LA entertainment: 15,000 filled annually 2022
Employment and Labor Interpretation
The glittering LA entertainment industry, while generating billions and employing over 733,000 people, is a landscape of stark contrasts: a realm where a fortunate few directors command nearly $300,000 a year while thousands of freelance crew members hustle for stability, and where the call for diversity behind the camera is slowly being answered but still has a very long way to go.
Film Production
- In 2022, Los Angeles County hosted the production of 512 major feature films, accounting for 46% of all U.S. feature film production
- The Los Angeles entertainment industry generated over $14.9 billion in direct economic output from film production in 2022
- In 2023, 78% of all scripted TV pilots were shot in Los Angeles, totaling 145 pilots
- Los Angeles studios produced 1,200 hours of original content for streaming platforms in 2022
- The average budget for a major studio film shot in LA in 2023 was $125 million, up 8% from 2022
- In 2022, 65% of VFX shots for top-grossing films were created in Los Angeles facilities
- Los Angeles film permits issued reached 25,000 in 2023, a 12% increase post-pandemic
- Independent films produced in LA numbered 1,856 in 2022, representing 52% of U.S. indies
- Soundstage space in LA expanded by 1.2 million sq ft in 2023, driven by studio builds
- In 2023, 92% of Academy Award-nominated films had principal photography in LA
- Digital intermediate services in LA handled 85% of Hollywood's post-production in 2023
- Location shooting days in Greater LA totaled 18,500 in 2023
- LA animation studios produced 320 minutes of feature animation in 2022
- Grip and electric rentals in LA supported 450 productions in Q1 2024
- Costume design houses in LA outfitted 1,200 film projects in 2023
- Prop fabrication shops in Hollywood fulfilled orders for 2,300 features/TV in 2022
- LA film labs processed 15 million feet of film negative in 2023
- Drone filming permits for films in LA reached 4,200 in 2023
- Underwater filming tanks in LA hosted 150 productions in 2022
- Green screen stages in LA covered 500,000 sq ft utilized in 2023
- Historical recreations for films used 300 LA period sets in 2022
- Car chase sequences filmed on LA streets numbered 450 in 2023
- Celebrity cameo shoots in LA totaled 1,800 in 2022
- Night exterior shoots in LA required 12,000 permits in 2023
- Rain simulation rigs rented for 280 LA films in 2022
- Horse wrangling for westerns in LA supported 95 shoots in 2023
- Pyrotechnics for action films in LA: 1,250 events in 2022
- Stunt performer contracts in LA films: 45,000 in 2023
- Miniature model builds for LA sci-fi films: 120 projects in 2022
Film Production Interpretation
While Hollywood might occasionally film elsewhere, these numbers prove that when it comes to conjuring entire worlds from thin air, the real magic—and the relentless, multi-billion-dollar industrial machinery required to sustain the illusion—still happens almost exclusively in Los Angeles.
Music Industry
- LA music industry generated $5.8 billion in economic activity in 2022
- Grammy nominations from LA artists: 1,250 in 2024 ceremony
- Live music venues in LA hosted 12,500 concerts in 2023
- Recording studios in LA: 450 active, producing 65% of U.S. hits in 2022
- Streaming plays from LA labels: 400 billion in 2023
- Ticket sales for LA music events: $2.9 billion in 2022
- Music publishing revenue in LA: $1.7 billion in 2023
- Soundtrack licensing for LA films/TV: $850 million in 2022
- Festival attendance at LA music fests: 1.2 million in 2023 (Coachella/Lolla LA)
- Vinyl pressing plants in LA produced 15 million units in 2022
- Hip-hop tracks recorded in LA: 3,200 charted in 2023
- Pop diva albums mastered in LA: 120 major releases in 2022
- Rock band residencies in LA: 450 shows in 2023
- EDM events in LA clubs: 2,800 nights in 2022
- Latin music productions in LA: 950 albums/tracks in 2023
- Music video shoots in LA: 4,500 in 2022
- Songwriter camps hosted in LA: 320 sessions, 5,000 songs in 2023
- Orchestra recordings for scores in LA: 1,100 sessions in 2022
- K-pop collaborations filmed in LA: 180 projects in 2023
- Country music crossovers recorded in LA: 240 tracks in 2022
- Jazz club gigs in LA: 18,000 performances in 2023
- R&B vocal sessions in LA: 2,900 in 2022
- Music tech startups in LA raised $450 million in 2023
- Podcast music licensing from LA composers: $120 million in 2022
- Music supervisors for LA TV/film: 1,200 employed in 2023
Music Industry Interpretation
Los Angeles isn't just playing music; it's running the entire global jukebox, from writing the songs and pressing the vinyl to soundtracking our screens and collecting the royalties, all while hosting enough live shows to give every resident a permanent buzz.
Television Production
- In 2023, Los Angeles produced 2,450 hours of scripted television content
- 85% of late-night talk shows are taped in LA studios weekly, totaling 1,200 episodes/year
- LA hosted 320 reality TV seasons in 2022, generating 4,500 hours
- Network TV pilots shot in LA: 112 in 2023, 78% greenlit rate
- Streaming series episodes filmed in LA: 5,200 in 2022
- LA TV animation output: 950 half-hours in 2023
- Daytime soap operas in LA produced 260 episodes/week in 2022
- Unscripted TV crews in LA: 15,000 active in 2023
- LA TV soundstages leased: 85% occupancy in 2023
- Multi-camera sitcoms taped in LA: 180 episodes in 2022
- News magazine shows produced in LA: 520 hours/year
- Game shows filmed in LA studios: 95 seasons in 2023
- LA TV post-production facilities handled 6,800 hours in 2022
- Remote production trucks based in LA supported 2,100 shoots in 2023
- Audience taping events in LA: 4,500 sessions in 2022
- TV promo shoots in LA: 1,200 campaigns in 2023
- Cooking competition shows in LA: 45 series, 650 episodes in 2022
- Sports broadcasting hubs in LA aired 1,800 live events in 2023
- Docuseries filmed in LA: 220 projects in 2022
- Talk show band performances in LA: 3,200 live sets/year
- TV makeup artists employed in LA: 12,000 for 2023 productions
- Wardrobe stylists for TV in LA: 8,500 contracts in 2022
- Set designers for LA TV: 4,200 union credits in 2023
- Lighting techs for TV shoots in LA: 9,000 jobs filled in 2022
- Camera operators on LA TV: 7,500 active in 2023
- Script supervisors in LA TV: 2,800 hires in 2022
- Casting directors for TV in LA handled 15,000 roles in 2023
Television Production Interpretation
Los Angeles isn't just a city that makes television; it's a factory that operates 24/7, churning out everything from heartbreaking drama to questionable reality, employing an army of artists and technicians to ensure that America's screens are never, ever dark.
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