Also called: SFX Supervisor
Leads the team that creates real, physical effects on set: explosions, rain, fire, snow, and breakaway sets.
An SFX coordinator plans a controlled explosion with fire marshals, builds rain towers over a street, and makes a car crash happen safely on cue.
Approximate; IATSE Local 44 special effects rates.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Years as an SFX technician; pyrotechnic licenses required.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Mechanical Engineering Technology, Theater Technology.
Growing about average. Practical effects remain popular alongside CGI.
Low risk for 10 years. CGI replaces some physical effects, but safely running real fire, rain and explosions on set stays licensed human work.
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Shop or welding CTE, Theater tech crew.
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.