# Motion Picture Projectionists

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/motion-picture-projectionists
- SOC code: 39-3021.00
- Career family: Personal care and service
- Median annual pay: $38,270 (10th percentile $23,390, 90th percentile $88,310)
- Projected growth: Decline, -6.2%
- Openings a year: 300
- Typical entry education: No formal credential
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 74 |
| Investigative (I) | 17 |
| Artistic (A) | 35 |
| Social (S) | 17 |
| Enterprising (E) | 17 |
| Conventional (C) | 56 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 71/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 69/100)
- Getting Information (importance 65/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 65/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 59/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 54/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 54/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (importance 54/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 51/100)

## 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

## Also called

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

## Related careers

- [Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/camera-and-photographic-equipment-repairers): $52,720 median pay
- [Lighting Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/lighting-technicians): $68,060 median pay
- [Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/audiovisual-equipment-installers-and-repairers): $52,600 median pay
- [Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/photographic-process-workers-and-processing-machine-operators): $40,610 median pay
- [Audio and Video Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/audio-and-video-technicians): $58,100 median pay
- [Prepress Technicians and Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/prepress-technicians-and-workers): $48,690 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.