Ranked list · 48 careers
48 Film and Entertainment Jobs, Ranked by Fit and Pay (2026)
Media Director tops this list at $133,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with -3.7% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 48 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
- Careers on this list
- 48From 1,731 in the bank
- Median pay on the list
- $74,990BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Projected to grow
- 35 of 48BLS EP, 2025–2035
- Openings a year
- 343,500Combined, BLS EP
Method
How we built this list
Careers in film, television, theatre and live entertainment: performers and directors, editors and camera crews, designers, agents and the technical crafts behind a production. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
- Careers in film, television, theatre and live entertainment: performers and directors, editors and camera crews, designers, agents and the technical crafts behind a production. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The list
The top 48 jobs in the film industry
100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
- 1
1. Media Director
Specialty within advertising and promotions manager
- Median pay
- $133,660median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Leads advertising media strategy for brands, deciding where and how budgets are spent across TV, digital, social, audio and outdoor channels.
- 2
2. Production Designer
Specialty within art director
- Median pay
- $114,850median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.2%
- Openings / yr
- 12,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Leads the art department and designs the overall visual world of a film or TV series, from sets and locations to color palette.
- 3
3. Amusement Ride Engineer
Specialty within mechanical engineer
- Median pay
- $104,110median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 17,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Designs and analyzes roller coasters and theme park rides, working out the forces, structures, controls and safety systems that make them thrilling and safe.
- 4
4. Rigging Artist
Specialty within special effects artist and animator
- Median pay
- $102,030median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.3%
- Openings / yr
- 4,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Builds the digital skeletons and controls that let animators move 3D characters and creatures in films and games.
- 5
5. VFX Compositor
Specialty within special effects artist and animator
- Median pay
- $102,030median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.3%
- Openings / yr
- 4,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Combines live-action footage, computer-generated elements and effects into seamless final shots for film, TV and commercials.
- 6
6. First Assistant Director
Specialty within producer and director
- Median pay
- $90,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Builds the shooting schedule and runs the set on film and TV productions so the director can focus on performances.
- 7
7. Line Producer
Specialty within producer and director
- Median pay
- $90,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Builds and controls the budget and logistics of a film or TV production, from crew hiring to equipment and locations.
- 8
8. Location Manager
Specialty within producer and director
- Median pay
- $90,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Finds, secures and manages real-world filming locations for film, TV and commercial productions.
- 9
9. Media Programming Director
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $90,360median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
- 10
10. Media Technical Directors/Manager
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $90,360median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
- 11
11. Producer and Director
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $90,360median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction.
- 12
12. Showrunner
Specialty within producer and director
- Median pay
- $90,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Runs a television series day to day, leading the writers' room and making final creative and production decisions.
- 13
13. Talent Director
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $90,360median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.
- 14
14. Creator Talent Manager
Specialty within agent and business manager of artists, performers, and athletes
- Median pay
- $82,890median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +9.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Represents YouTubers, streamers and social media creators, handling their brand deals, business decisions and career growth.
- 15
- Median pay
- $79,520median a year
- Growth
- +6.0%
- Openings / yr
- 5,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
- 16
16. Dialect Coach
Specialty within art, drama, and music teacher, postsecondary
- Median pay
- $78,620median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +2.2%
- Openings / yr
- 8,000
- Education
- Master's
Teaches actors accents, dialects and vocal technique for theatre, film and TV roles, often on set and in rehearsals.
- 17
17. Film and Video Editor
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $75,420median a year
- Growth
- +3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 3,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Edit moving images on film, video, or other media.
- 18
18. Film Colorist
Specialty within film and video editor
- Median pay
- $75,420median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 3,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Adjusts the color, contrast and look of every shot in a film, series, commercial or music video during post-production.
- 19
19. Script Supervisor
Specialty within film and video editor
- Median pay
- $75,420median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 3,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Tracks continuity and records detailed notes on every take during filming so the footage can be edited together seamlessly.
- 20
20. Trailer Editor
Specialty within film and video editor
- Median pay
- $75,420median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 3,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Cuts trailers, teasers and TV spots that market feature films, series and games, usually at a specialist creative advertising agency.
- 21
21. Prop Master
Specialty within set and exhibit designer
- Median pay
- $75,240median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +1.4%
- Openings / yr
- 2,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Sources, builds and manages every object actors handle on a film, TV show or stage production.
- 22
22. Set and Exhibit Designer
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $75,240median a year
- Growth
- +1.4%
- Openings / yr
- 2,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions.
- 23
23. Set Decorator
Specialty within set and exhibit designer
- Median pay
- $75,240median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +1.4%
- Openings / yr
- 2,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Chooses and places the furniture, drapery, art and objects that make a film or TV set feel lived in.
- 24
24. Camera Operator, Television, Video, and Film
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $74,990median a year
- Growth
- +1.3%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
- 25
25. Cinematographer
Specialty within camera operator, television, video, and film
- Median pay
- $74,990median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +1.3%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Leads the camera and lighting crews and creates the visual style of a film, series, commercial or music video.
- 26
26. Digital Imaging Technician
Specialty within camera operator, television, video, and film
- Median pay
- $74,990median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +1.3%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Manages camera settings, on-set color and the safe backup of digital footage during film and TV shoots.
- 27
27. First Assistant Camera
Specialty within camera operator, television, video, and film
- Median pay
- $74,990median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +1.3%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Keeps the image sharp by pulling focus during every take and builds, maintains and manages the camera on set.
- 28
28. Steadicam Operator
Specialty within camera operator, television, video, and film
- Median pay
- $74,990median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +1.3%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Wears a body-mounted camera stabilizer to capture smooth moving shots that follow actors through sets and locations.
- 29
29. Animatronics Technician
Specialty within electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologist and technician
- Median pay
- $73,900median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +2.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- Associate's
Builds, programs and maintains the robotic animated figures used in theme parks, museums, films and live shows.
- 30
30. Foley Artist
Specialty within sound engineering technician
- Median pay
- $73,130median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Certificate
Performs and records everyday sounds, such as footsteps, clothing rustle and prop handling, in sync with picture for film, TV and games.
- 31
31. Re-Recording Mixer
Specialty within sound engineering technician
- Median pay
- $73,130median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Certificate
Blends dialogue, music and sound effects into the final soundtrack of a film or TV show on a mixing stage.
- 32
32. Chief Lighting Technician
Specialty within lighting technician
- Median pay
- $68,060median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- Certificate
Leads the lighting and electrical crew on a film or TV set, executing the cinematographer's lighting plan safely.
- 33
33. Key Grip
Specialty within lighting technician
- Median pay
- $68,060median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- Certificate
Leads the grip department on film and TV sets, rigging camera support, dollies and the equipment that shapes and blocks light.
- 34
34. Lighting Designer
Specialty within lighting technician
- Median pay
- $68,060median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- Certificate
Designs the lighting for theatre, dance, opera, concerts and live events, shaping mood, focus and timing of every moment.
- 35
35. Lighting Technician
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $68,060median a year
- Growth
- −4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- Certificate
Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions.
- 36
36. Amusement Ride Technician
Specialty within industrial machinery mechanic
- Median pay
- $64,520median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +17.8%
- Openings / yr
- 44,400
- Education
- High school
Maintains, inspects and repairs roller coasters and theme park rides, often working overnight so rides are ready when the gates open.
- 37
37. Event Producer
Specialty within meeting, convention, and event planner
- Median pay
- $61,160median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +5.8%
- Openings / yr
- 16,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Turns a creative concept into a live event, managing the budget, vendors, staging, technology, and show run for brand activations, conferences, and galas.
- 38
38. Broadcast Technician
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $59,570median a year
- Growth
- −3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 1,600
- Education
- Associate's
Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs.
- 39
39. Audio and Video Technician
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $58,100median a year
- Growth
- +3.9%
- Openings / yr
- 6,600
- Education
- Certificate
Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic e…
- 40
40. Fight Director
Specialty within choreographer
- Median pay
- $55,310median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- High school
Choreographs and teaches safe stage combat for theatre, opera and film, from sword fights to slaps and falls.
- 41
41. Intimacy Coordinator
Specialty within choreographer
- Median pay
- $55,310median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- High school
Choreographs intimate and sensitive scenes in film, TV and theatre, protecting performers through consent and clear process.
- 42
42. Stunt Coordinator
Specialty within choreographer
- Median pay
- $55,310median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- High school
Designs, plans and supervises the stunts and action sequences on film and TV productions, keeping performers safe.
- 43
43. Stunt Performer
Specialty within choreographer
- Median pay
- $55,310median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- High school
Performs falls, fights, driving and other dangerous action for film, TV and live shows, often doubling for actors.
- 44
44. Costume Attendant
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $50,400median a year
- Growth
- +5.9%
- Openings / yr
- 1,700
- Education
- High school
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers.
- 45
45. Amusement Ride Inspector
Specialty within inspector, tester, sorter, sampler, and weigher
- Median pay
- $48,570median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +2.5%
- Openings / yr
- 66,700
- Education
- High school
Inspects roller coasters, carnival rides and water slides to confirm they are assembled, maintained and operated safely before riders board.
- 46
46. Voice Actor
Specialty within broadcast announcer and radio disc jockey
- Median pay
- $47,340median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −7.6%
- Openings / yr
- 2,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Performs voices for animation, video games, commercials, documentaries, dubbing and corporate media.
- 47
47. Unit Still Photographer
Specialty within photographer
- Median pay
- $44,660median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.7%
- Openings / yr
- 10,700
- Education
- High school
Photographs actors and scenes on film and TV sets to create the publicity and marketing images used to promote a production.
- 48
48. Motion Picture Projectionist
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $38,270median a year
- Growth
- −6.2%
- Openings / yr
- 300
- Education
- No formal credential
Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.
Questions
Jobs in the Film Industry: FAQ
What is the top career on the jobs in the film industry list?
Media Director leads the list with a median wage of $133,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of -3.7% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is bachelor's.
How was this list put together?
Careers in film, television, theatre and live entertainment: performers and directors, editors and camera crews, designers, agents and the technical crafts behind a production. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Careers in film, television, theatre and live entertainment: performers and directors, editors and camera crews, designers, agents and the technical crafts behind a production. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.
How much do jobs in the film industry pay?
Across the 48 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $74,990 a year, from $38,270 at the bottom to $133,660 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
24 of the 48 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035).