Also called: Director of Photography, DP
Decides how every shot of a film, TV show, or commercial is lit and framed, and leads the camera and lighting crews.
Before shooting, a cinematographer scouts locations with the director and plans each shot's look. On set, they direct the camera operators, gaffers, and grips, adjusting lights between takes. Long 12-hour days are normal.
Estimate. Union DPs on features and big commercials earn very high day rates; most freelancers earn far less between gigs.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 10 years after high school. Film school helps; most work up from camera assistant over many years. Union membership (ICG Local 600) for major productions.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Film Production, Cinematography, Photography.
Growing about average. Tied to film, TV, and commercial production.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI video generators take some low-budget ads and B-roll; lighting, framing and leading crews on real sets stay human.
Classes: Film or video production CTE, Physics (optics), AP Studio Art.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-4031.
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.