SOC 39-3021.00

    Motion Picture Projectionists

    Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.

    Median pay
    $38,270
    Growth
    -6.2%
    Decline
    Openings a year
    300
    Typical education
    No formal credential

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

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    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $23,390
    Median
    $38,270
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $88,310
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    1,480 people work in this occupation.

    What motion picture projectionists do

    Job Zone 2: Some preparation

    Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.

    Usually a high school diploma; some on-the-job training or experience.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    74 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    17 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    35 / 100
    Social (S)
    17 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    17 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    56 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RCA. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    79
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    71
    Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    69
    Getting Information
    65
    Controlling Machines and Processes
    65
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    59
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    54
    Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
    54
    Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
    54
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    51
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Operations Monitoring
    • Active Listening
    • Operation and Control
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Speaking
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Coordination
    • Critical Thinking
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Monitoring

    Knowledge

    • Computers and Electronics
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Mechanical
    • English Language
    • Administration and Management
    • Communications and Media
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Administrative

    Abilities

    • Far Vision
    • Near Vision
    • Control Precision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Information Ordering
    • Manual Dexterity

    Work styles

    • Dependability
    • Attention to Detail
    • Cautiousness
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Integrity
    • Self-Control
    • Perseverance
    • Self-Confidence
    • Intellectual Curiosity

    Also called

    Booth Operator · Booth Usher · Cinema Operator · Cinema Projectionist · Cinematographer · Digital Projectionist · Equipment Operator · Film Projector Operator · Film Specialist · Machine Operator

    Your plan

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    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

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    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.