Also called: DP, DoP
Decides how a film looks: the lighting, the lenses, the camera angles, and every frame's mood.
The DP arrives early to check lighting setups with the gaffer and pick lenses for the day. During takes they watch monitors obsessively, adjusting a light or a camera move by inches. Before production, they spend weeks testing cameras and planning shots with the director.
Approximate. Union DPs (ICG Local 600) on studio features and series earn far more than the BLS camera-operator average; indie and corporate DPs earn much less.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Film school is common; most work up from camera assistant or shoot indie projects for years.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Cinematography, Film Production, Photography.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Grouped with camera operators by BLS, which projects about average growth.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Virtual production and AI color and relighting tools grow; lighting real sets and shaping a film's look with the director stay human.
Classes: Photography, Physics (light and optics), Art, Film/video production CTE.
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.