Also called: Prop Builder, Props Artisan
Builds props for theater, film, theme parks, and events: fake food, weapons, furniture, creatures.
A prop maker might sculpt a foam sword, cast a resin skull, and age a fake treasure chest in one week. They read scripts to understand what's needed. Cosplay and maker skills translate directly.
Estimate; union film prop makers earn more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Theater technology programs or on-the-job; 3D printing and sculpting skills.
Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college, On-the-job training, Self-taught. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Theatre Design & Technology, Sculpture, Industrial Design.
Growing about average. Tied to entertainment production.
Low risk for 10 years. 3D printing helps, but handmade fake food, weapons and creatures for stage and screen stay craft work.
Classes: Theater tech crew, Art 3-D Design, Woodshop.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1027.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.