Motion picture projectionists salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23,390 | $11.25 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Mean (average) | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| 90th percentile | $88,310 | $42.46 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Motion picture projectionists pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 12 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $32,890 | $30,580 | $53,580 | ||
| California | $74,840 | $34,470 | $134,010 | 190 | 1.09 |
| Illinois | $78,990 | $67,990 | $87,730 | ||
| Iowa | $23,210 | $21,250 | $41,600 | 100 | 6.66 |
| Michigan | $37,590 | $25,960 | $56,410 | ||
| Missouri | $29,140 | $28,600 | $40,610 | ||
| New York | $82,260 | $36,200 | $99,400 | 270 | 2.98 |
| Ohio | $36,870 | $23,460 | $46,620 | 50 | 0.94 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,850 | $23,580 | $34,550 | 40 | 0.73 |
| Tennessee | $22,750 | $18,540 | $39,890 | 90 | 2.88 |
| Texas | $31,160 | $26,470 | $37,740 | 40 | 0.31 |
| Washington | $39,070 | $34,670 | $59,630 | 60 | 1.64 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for motion picture projectionists
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 300. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for motion picture projectionists
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- NO MATCH CIP 99.9999
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Monitor operations to ensure that standards for sound and image projection quality are met.
- Start projectors and open shutters to project images onto screens.
- Open and close facilities according to rules and schedules.
- Operate equipment to show films in a number of theaters simultaneously.
- Perform regular maintenance tasks, such as rotating or replacing xenon bulbs, cleaning projectors and lenses, lubricating machinery, and keeping electrical contacts clean and tight.
- Set up and adjust picture projectors and screens to achieve proper size, illumination, and focus of images, and proper volume and tone of sound.
- Inspect projection equipment prior to operation to ensure proper working order.
- Perform minor repairs, such as replacing worn sprockets, or notify maintenance personnel of the need for major repairs.
Technology skills
- Apple macOS (hot technology)
- Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Facebook (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Audio calibration software
- Avid Technology iNEWS
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting.
Common job titles: Booth Operator, Cinema Projectionist, Digital Projectionist, Film Specialist, Motion Picture Projectionist, Movie Projectionist, Projection Technician, Projectionist, Projector Booth Operator, Technical Projection Guide.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do motion picture projectionists make?
The national median annual wage for motion picture projectionists was $38,270 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $23,390 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $88,310. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do motion picture projectionists need?
BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is motion picture projectionists a growing career?
BLS projects employment of motion picture projectionists to change -6.2% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 300 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay motion picture projectionists the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were New York ($82,260), Illinois ($78,990), California ($74,840). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.