Becoming a Cinematographer via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Grand Canyon University
is a US school (accredited) offering film courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
filmmakers,
producers,
directors,
film directors,
film producers,
film industry professionals, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 7,940 people employed as
set and exhibit designers alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$50,600.
Producers and directors make on average $86,870
per year and there are about 79,780
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Grand Canyon University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Cinematographer
- film convention
- filters
- city
- college
- film lab
- theater
- film school
- lighting school
- camera shop
- special effects
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Cinematographer
- great pay
- be creative
- team building
- team work
- working with talented people
- very rewarding
- meet people worldwide
- fun
- work on different sets
- operate cameras
Potential Drawbacks
- high competition field
- very long hours
- expensive equipment
- travel required for long periods of time
- can require late hours
- name recognition to be successful needed
- afflication with film industry
- no privacy once "famous"
- requires internship
- takes a very long time to advance
Related Professions to Consider
- Cinematographer (aka Director of Photography or DP)
- Cinematography Courses
- Television / Video / and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors
- New Media Cinematographer
- Film/Video & Cinematography Schools
- AFI Conservatory
- Bournemouth University
- Higher Diploma - Academy of Film
- Ftii Pune Cinematography
- PLC Course
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Cinematographer
- How would you define self-confidence?
- Tell me about a situation or situations that might demonstrate your confidence to do this job?
- Describe a time when you took on additional work to help your team meet a crucial work goal?
- What is cinematography?
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
- Do like doing things in a new way Do you think it is worth it?
- What are some things that you may change in the near future about your style of working And why?
- Do you think that technology can help to achieve better efficiency at work?
- Can you tell me about a situation where you used your imaginative skills to solve a very difficult problem?
- Give an example of a time when you assisted a co-worker to enhance their work skills?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Introduction to Cycle Production
- Cycle Producer
- Cycle Producer Assistant
- Narrative Workshop and Analysis
- Cinematography Workshop
- Dramatic Analyst
- Master Seminars
- American Approaches to Film
- Thesis Producer
- Advanced Cinematography Workshop
Cinematographer Training books
Cinematographer (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Cinematography
- Foundations in Film
- Technology in Cinematography
- Business elements in film
- Visual art and cinema
- Elements of post-production
- Camera equipment and uses
- Filming documentary footage
- Sound effects production
- fundamentals of acting
Cinematographer Salary Information
Category: Set and exhibit designers
| Total # Employed in the US |
7,940 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$24.33/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $12.32 |
$15.5 |
$21.83 |
$31.39 |
$39.81 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$50,600 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $25,620 |
$32,250 |
$45,400 |
$65,290 |
$82,810 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.7% |
13.0% |
19.3% |
14.1% |
42.5% |
7.1% |
1.1% |
|
Set and exhibit designers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Missouri |
$30.1/hr
|
$62,600
|
| Colorado |
$29.33/hr
|
$61,000
|
| Florida |
$28.93/hr
|
$60,170
|
| Mississippi |
$27.83/hr
|
$57,900
|
| South Carolina |
$27.02/hr
|
$56,200
|
| Oklahoma |
$26.49/hr
|
$55,100
|
| Tennessee |
$26.06/hr
|
$54,200
|
| Ohio |
$24.47/hr
|
$50,900
|
| Nebraska |
$23.41/hr
|
$48,700
|
| Delaware |
$23.19/hr
|
$48,240
|
| Kansas |
$22.98/hr
|
$47,800
|
| New Hampshire |
$22.92/hr
|
$47,680
|
| Hawaii |
$22.66/hr
|
$47,120
|
| Alabama |
$21.49/hr
|
$44,700
|
| Guam |
$20.93/hr
|
$43,530
|
| Oregon |
$20.85/hr
|
$43,360
|
| Kentucky |
$20.82/hr
|
$43,310
|
| Wyoming |
$20.43/hr
|
$42,490
|
| Montana |
$18.97/hr
|
$39,450
|
| Utah |
$18.91/hr
|
$39,320
|
| Idaho |
$18.48/hr
|
$38,440
|
| Connecticut |
$17.96/hr
|
$37,350
|
| Arkansas |
$16.66/hr
|
$34,650
|
| Washington |
$14.38/hr
|
$29,920
|
| South Dakota |
$10.44/hr
|
$21,720
|
Category: Producers and directors
| Total # Employed in the US |
79,780 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$41.77/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $14.69 |
$20.62 |
$32.08 |
$53.49 |
$0.0 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$86,870 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $30,560 |
$42,890 |
$66,720 |
$111,250 |
$0 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.8% |
6.7% |
15.4% |
6.9% |
54.8% |
12.7% |
2.8% |
|
Producers and directors — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Colorado |
$57.95/hr
|
$120,530
|
| Oklahoma |
$54.95/hr
|
$114,290
|
| Florida |
$42.11/hr
|
$87,580
|
| Delaware |
$38.32/hr
|
$79,710
|
| Tennessee |
$37.71/hr
|
$78,430
|
| Idaho |
$37.27/hr
|
$77,530
|
| Virginia |
$34.85/hr
|
$72,490
|
| Montana |
$34.2/hr
|
$71,140
|
| Nebraska |
$33.55/hr
|
$69,790
|
| Missouri |
$33.45/hr
|
$69,580
|
| New York |
$33.31/hr
|
$69,290
|
| Mississippi |
$32.58/hr
|
$67,760
|
| North Dakota |
$32.52/hr
|
$67,650
|
| Kansas |
$32.4/hr
|
$67,390
|
| Utah |
$30.6/hr
|
$63,650
|
| Hawaii |
$30.02/hr
|
$62,440
|
| Wyoming |
$29.86/hr
|
$62,110
|
| Connecticut |
$29.83/hr
|
$62,050
|
| Guam |
$29.55/hr
|
$61,460
|
| New Hampshire |
$28.21/hr
|
$58,680
|
| South Carolina |
$28.14/hr
|
$58,530
|
| Indiana |
$27.93/hr
|
$58,090
|
| Wisconsin |
$27.78/hr
|
$57,770
|
| Washington |
$27.59/hr
|
$57,390
|
| Maine |
$27.41/hr
|
$57,010
|
| Oregon |
$26.83/hr
|
$55,820
|
| Alabama |
$26.5/hr
|
$55,120
|
| Ohio |
$26.27/hr
|
$54,650
|
| North Carolina |
$25.8/hr
|
$53,660
|
| District of Columbia |
$24.86/hr
|
$51,700
|
| Alaska |
$24.61/hr
|
$51,200
|
| Puerto Rico |
$24.52/hr
|
$51,000
|
| Louisiana |
$24.47/hr
|
$50,900
|
| Kentucky |
$22.84/hr
|
$47,510
|
| Michigan |
$22.47/hr
|
$46,730
|
| Arkansas |
$22.2/hr
|
$46,180
|
| South Dakota |
$21.68/hr
|
$45,100
|
| Massachusetts |
$21.62/hr
|
$44,970
|
| West Virginia |
$21.38/hr
|
$44,470
|
| New Mexico |
$20.55/hr
|
$42,750
|
| New Jersey |
$20.29/hr
|
$42,200
|
| Nevada |
$20.25/hr
|
$42,120
|
| California |
$19.78/hr
|
$41,150
|
| Iowa |
$19.71/hr
|
$41,000
|
| Maryland |
$18.93/hr
|
$39,370
|
| Pennsylvania |
$18.77/hr
|
$39,030
|
Category: Music directors and composers
| Total # Employed in the US |
14,330 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$25.68/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $10.33 |
$15.49 |
$21.68 |
$29.63 |
$40.87 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$53,410 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $21,480 |
$32,210 |
$45,090 |
$61,630 |
$85,020 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 4.8% |
15.4% |
21.2% |
5.0% |
30.7% |
19.3% |
3.7% |
|
Music directors and composers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| New York |
$47.7/hr
|
$99,210
|
| Colorado |
$34.22/hr
|
$71,190
|
| North Dakota |
$30.3/hr
|
$63,030
|
| Oklahoma |
$28.83/hr
|
$59,970
|
| Delaware |
$28.54/hr
|
$59,370
|
| Nebraska |
$28.27/hr
|
$58,810
|
| Florida |
$27.79/hr
|
$57,810
|
| Ohio |
$27.23/hr
|
$56,640
|
| Missouri |
$26.24/hr
|
$54,580
|
| Idaho |
$26.15/hr
|
$54,390
|
| Mississippi |
$25.85/hr
|
$53,760
|
| Wyoming |
$25.73/hr
|
$53,530
|
| Kentucky |
$25.46/hr
|
$52,960
|
| Indiana |
$25.21/hr
|
$52,440
|
| Montana |
$25.18/hr
|
$52,360
|
| Hawaii |
$24.43/hr
|
$50,820
|
| Washington |
$23.94/hr
|
$49,790
|
| South Carolina |
$23.53/hr
|
$48,930
|
| Connecticut |
$23.52/hr
|
$48,910
|
| Kansas |
$22.78/hr
|
$47,390
|
| Tennessee |
$21.97/hr
|
$45,700
|
| Massachusetts |
$21.48/hr
|
$44,690
|
| Utah |
$21.09/hr
|
$43,860
|
| Maine |
$20.99/hr
|
$43,650
|
| Alabama |
$20.81/hr
|
$43,280
|
| California |
$20.8/hr
|
$43,250
|
| Virginia |
$20.36/hr
|
$42,360
|
| Wisconsin |
$20.31/hr
|
$42,250
|
| Oregon |
$20.24/hr
|
$42,110
|
| Nevada |
$20.2/hr
|
$42,020
|
| New Mexico |
$19.41/hr
|
$40,370
|
| Louisiana |
$19.19/hr
|
$39,910
|
| Arkansas |
$18.76/hr
|
$39,020
|
| South Dakota |
$18.75/hr
|
$39,010
|
| New Jersey |
$14.51/hr
|
$30,180
|
Category: Sound engineering technicians
| Total # Employed in the US |
15,560 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$25.93/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $11.26 |
$15.6 |
$22.29 |
$32.21 |
$45.32 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$53,940 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $23,420 |
$32,450 |
$46,370 |
$67,010 |
$94,270 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.3% |
19.6% |
29.5% |
14.8% |
29.5% |
3.6% |
0.7% |
|
Sound engineering technicians — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Florida |
$34.04/hr
|
$70,790
|
| Colorado |
$33.58/hr
|
$69,840
|
| New Jersey |
$31.85/hr
|
$66,240
|
| Idaho |
$28.96/hr
|
$60,240
|
| Delaware |
$27.95/hr
|
$58,150
|
| Oklahoma |
$27.47/hr
|
$57,150
|
| New York |
$27.04/hr
|
$56,250
|
| North Dakota |
$26.96/hr
|
$56,070
|
| Missouri |
$26.31/hr
|
$54,720
|
| Tennessee |
$24.84/hr
|
$51,660
|
| Nebraska |
$22.94/hr
|
$47,720
|
| Kansas |
$22.66/hr
|
$47,140
|
| Virginia |
$21.69/hr
|
$45,110
|
| Kentucky |
$21.46/hr
|
$44,640
|
| Indiana |
$21.13/hr
|
$43,960
|
| New Mexico |
$21.08/hr
|
$43,840
|
| Mississippi |
$20.93/hr
|
$43,540
|
| Montana |
$20.83/hr
|
$43,320
|
| Oregon |
$20.78/hr
|
$43,220
|
| Guam |
$20.75/hr
|
$43,170
|
| South Carolina |
$20.06/hr
|
$41,720
|
| Washington |
$20/hr
|
$41,610
|
| Utah |
$19.89/hr
|
$41,370
|
| New Hampshire |
$19.65/hr
|
$40,860
|
| Hawaii |
$19.45/hr
|
$40,450
|
| Wyoming |
$19.17/hr
|
$39,880
|
| Ohio |
$18.55/hr
|
$38,580
|
| Maryland |
$18.21/hr
|
$37,870
|
| Arkansas |
$17.84/hr
|
$37,110
|
| Connecticut |
$17.1/hr
|
$35,570
|
| Wisconsin |
$16.98/hr
|
$35,310
|
| Massachusetts |
$16.75/hr
|
$34,850
|
| South Dakota |
$15.4/hr
|
$32,030
|
| Maine |
$14.63/hr
|
$30,430
|
| Alabama |
$13.64/hr
|
$28,360
|
Category: Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture
| Total # Employed in the US |
17,540 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$23.84/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $10.05 |
$13.89 |
$20.64 |
$29.47 |
$39.71 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$49,590 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20,910 |
$28,890 |
$42,940 |
$61,300 |
$82,600 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.9% |
9.3% |
24.5% |
7.7% |
48.7% |
6.4% |
0.5% |
|
Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Tennessee |
$35.52/hr
|
$73,890
|
| Ohio |
$31.49/hr
|
$65,510
|
| Florida |
$30.34/hr
|
$63,100
|
| Colorado |
$30.27/hr
|
$62,960
|
| Arkansas |
$26.5/hr
|
$55,110
|
| Kentucky |
$26.16/hr
|
$54,420
|
| Mississippi |
$26.14/hr
|
$54,370
|
| North Dakota |
$25.81/hr
|
$53,690
|
| Guam |
$24.74/hr
|
$51,450
|
| Montana |
$24.64/hr
|
$51,240
|
| Connecticut |
$23.45/hr
|
$48,780
|
| Idaho |
$22.76/hr
|
$47,340
|
| South Carolina |
$22.46/hr
|
$46,710
|
| Maine |
$22.27/hr
|
$46,330
|
| Indiana |
$22.2/hr
|
$46,170
|
| Nebraska |
$22.09/hr
|
$45,950
|
| New York |
$21.79/hr
|
$45,310
|
| Oklahoma |
$21.56/hr
|
$44,840
|
| District of Columbia |
$21.11/hr
|
$43,900
|
| Maryland |
$20.67/hr
|
$42,980
|
| Washington |
$20.15/hr
|
$41,920
|
| Virginia |
$19.92/hr
|
$41,430
|
| Alabama |
$19.49/hr
|
$40,530
|
| New Hampshire |
$19.48/hr
|
$40,520
|
| Utah |
$19.29/hr
|
$40,120
|
| Wisconsin |
$18.91/hr
|
$39,340
|
| Kansas |
$18.84/hr
|
$39,180
|
| New Mexico |
$18.4/hr
|
$38,270
|
| Oregon |
$17.33/hr
|
$36,050
|
| Hawaii |
$16.85/hr
|
$35,060
|
| Wyoming |
$16.76/hr
|
$34,860
|
| Louisiana |
$16.75/hr
|
$34,850
|
| Puerto Rico |
$16.44/hr
|
$34,190
|
| Nevada |
$15.59/hr
|
$32,430
|
| South Dakota |
$14.79/hr
|
$30,760
|
| Michigan |
$14.34/hr
|
$29,840
|
| Massachusetts |
$14.27/hr
|
$29,670
|
| West Virginia |
$12.94/hr
|
$26,910
|
| Pennsylvania |
$11.67/hr
|
$24,270
|
Category: Film and video editors
| Total # Employed in the US |
17,550 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$30.62/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $12.21 |
$16.29 |
$24.42 |
$38.24 |
$54.31 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$63,680 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $25,400 |
$33,880 |
$50,790 |
$79,550 |
$112,960 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.9% |
9.3% |
24.5% |
7.7% |
48.7% |
6.4% |
0.5% |
|
Film and video editors — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Colorado |
$40.32/hr
|
$83,850
|
| Florida |
$36.27/hr
|
$75,450
|
| Missouri |
$34.06/hr
|
$70,840
|
| Oklahoma |
$31.31/hr
|
$65,120
|
| Kansas |
$30.93/hr
|
$64,330
|
| Wyoming |
$29.87/hr
|
$62,130
|
| Montana |
$28.51/hr
|
$59,300
|
| Connecticut |
$27.68/hr
|
$57,570
|
| Tennessee |
$26.58/hr
|
$55,290
|
| North Carolina |
$25.4/hr
|
$52,830
|
| New Jersey |
$25.37/hr
|
$52,770
|
| Idaho |
$25.19/hr
|
$52,400
|
| Mississippi |
$24.77/hr
|
$51,530
|
| Massachusetts |
$24.28/hr
|
$50,500
|
| North Dakota |
$23/hr
|
$47,840
|
| New Hampshire |
$22.6/hr
|
$47,010
|
| New York |
$22.31/hr
|
$46,410
|
| Nebraska |
$21.94/hr
|
$45,630
|
| Indiana |
$21.81/hr
|
$45,370
|
| Wisconsin |
$21.56/hr
|
$44,850
|
| Utah |
$21.12/hr
|
$43,940
|
| Hawaii |
$20.66/hr
|
$42,970
|
| Michigan |
$20.5/hr
|
$42,640
|
| Arkansas |
$20.47/hr
|
$42,570
|
| South Carolina |
$20.32/hr
|
$42,270
|
| Delaware |
$19.55/hr
|
$40,660
|
| Alabama |
$19.27/hr
|
$40,070
|
| Guam |
$19.05/hr
|
$39,620
|
| Ohio |
$18.36/hr
|
$38,180
|
| Louisiana |
$17.74/hr
|
$36,900
|
| Maryland |
$17.34/hr
|
$36,060
|
| Oregon |
$17.33/hr
|
$36,050
|
| California |
$17.08/hr
|
$35,520
|
| Kentucky |
$16.85/hr
|
$35,050
|
| Washington |
$16.57/hr
|
$34,470
|
| Maine |
$15.97/hr
|
$33,210
|
| South Dakota |
$13.81/hr
|
$28,730
|
| New Mexico |
$13.75/hr
|
$28,590
|
| Nevada |
$10.52/hr
|
$21,880
|
