Motion Picture Projectionists: Career Overview
Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.
Featured schools near , edit
What Do Motion Picture Projectionists Perform?
The core tasks performed by motion picture projectionists cover:
- 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.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective motion picture projectionists draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Booth Operator
- Booth Usher
- Cinema Operator
- Cinema Projectionist
- Cinematographer
- Digital Projectionist
- Equipment Operator
- Film Projector Operator
Employment and Demand
There are roughly 486,297 motion picture projectionists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +14.0% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Motion Picture Projectionists Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $25,099 |
| Hourly median | $12.07 |
| 10th percentile | $20,000 |
| 25th percentile | $22,000 |
| 75th percentile | $30,434 |
| 90th percentile | $35,769 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Motion Picture Projectionists Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $87,870 |
| New York | $76,970 |
| Illinois | $75,380 |
| Washington | $36,780 |
| Idaho | $34,790 |
| Ohio | $32,970 |
| Tennessee | $32,570 |
| Wisconsin | $31,760 |
| Texas | $29,770 |
| North Dakota | $29,550 |
| Iowa | $28,640 |
| Missouri | $28,340 |
| Michigan | $28,130 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for motion picture projectionists differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $76,970 | 33.9% | 3.50 |
| Far Western US | $72,732 | 21.8% | 1.13 |
| Rocky Mountains | $34,790 | 2.4% | 3.26 |
| Great Lakes | $32,690 | 10.5% | 1.31 |
| Southeast | $32,570 | 8.9% | 2.57 |
| Southwest | $29,770 | 7.3% | 0.49 |
| Plains States | $28,642 | 15.3% | 3.82 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $119,090 | 120 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | IL | $81,490 | |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $79,860 | 350 |
Which Industries Hire Motion Picture Projectionists
The largest employers of motion picture projectionists are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Information | 1,340 | $33,860 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 320 | $53,160 |
Motion Picture Projectionists work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Operating system software: Apple macOS (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Web page creation and editing software: Facebook (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for motion picture projectionists tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Telephone Conversations
Getting Started in This Career
Most motion picture projectionists positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Photonics Technicians (Supplemental)
- Media Technical Directors/Managers (Supplemental)
- Audio and Video Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Broadcast Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Sound Engineering Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Lighting Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film (Primary-Long)
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer (Supplemental)
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 39-3021.00 (Motion Picture Projectionists).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.