Also called: Head Grip
Leads the grip department, which builds camera rigs, dollies, cranes, and the frames that shape light.
A key grip figures out how to mount a camera on the hood of a moving car, or rig a 30-foot black fabric to block the sun. They lead a crew of grips building safe, creative solutions all day.
Approximate, based on IATSE local rate cards and typical weeks worked; freelance crew income depends on how much work they book.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Apprenticeship, about 0 years after high school. Works up from grip; IATSE Local 80 in LA.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Construction Technology (trade school), Film Production.
Growing about average. Follows production levels.
Low risk for 10 years. Remote heads and new rigs change tools, but building safe camera rigs and shaping light on real locations stays skilled physical work.
Classes: Shop or construction CTE, Physics, Theater tech crew, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-4099.
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.