Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.
Motion Picture Projectionists
SOC: 39-3021 O*NET: 39-3021.00
Median Salary
$38,180
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.
What does a Motion Picture Projectionists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$24,160
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,250
25th percentile
Median
$38,180
50th percentile
Experienced
$75,380
75th percentile
Top Earners
$82,040
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$24,160
25th
$29,250
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,180
Mean: $50,290
75th
$75,380
90th
$82,040
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $57,880 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $29,250 and $75,380
- •Salary spread is 120.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,000
Top Industries
Information68.7%
Motion Picture and Video Exhibition52.8%
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries8.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.7%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,000
Current
2034 (Projected)2,000
-3.7%
-100
Employment Change
-3.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Motion Picture Projectionists professionals work across the United States
Showing 13 of 13 locations
New York
420 jobs$76,9703.50x
California
190 jobs$87,8700.85x
Missouri
120 jobs$28,3403.15x
Tennessee
110 jobs$32,5702.57x
Ohio
100 jobs$32,9701.42x
Texas
90 jobs$29,7700.49x
Washington
80 jobs$36,7801.78x
North Dakota
40 jobs$29,5507.54x
Idaho
30 jobs$34,7903.26x
Wisconsin
30 jobs$31,7600.93x
Iowa
30 jobs$28,6401.52x
Illinois
0 jobs$75,3800.00x
Michigan
0 jobs$28,1300.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Computers and Electronics
100%
#3
Far Vision
100%
#4
Near Vision
92%
#5
Speaking
86%
#6
Oral Comprehension
82%
#7
Customer and Personal Service
80%
#8
Oral Expression
74%
#9
Reading Comprehension
70%
#10
Problem Sensitivity
66%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Computers and Electronics
advanced5.0
100%
Far Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced4.6
92%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Oral Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
Customer and Personal Service
intermediate4.0
80%
Oral Expression
intermediate3.7
74%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Computers and Electronics
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Far Vision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Oral Expression
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Mechanical
intermediateImportance60%
knowledge
3.0/5.0
Control Precision
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Food Batchmakers71%
5 shared skills
Construction Laborers67%
4 shared skills
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation63%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers63%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders63%
5 shared skills
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders63%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Computers and Electronics
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
- →Mechanical
- →Operation and Control
- →Problem Sensitivity
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Computers and Electronics
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Far Vision
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Computers and Electronics
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Far Vision
- ★Near Vision
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Motion Picture Projectionists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechApple macOS
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Office software
Apple macOS
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Operations & Execution (3)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Start projectors and open shutters to project images onto screens.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Monitor operations to ensure that standards for sound and image projection quality are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Operate equipment to show films in a number of theaters simultaneously.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Splice separate film reels, advertisements, and movie trailers together to form a feature-length presentation on one continuous reel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Inspect movie films to ensure that they are complete and in good condition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Set up and adjust picture projectors and screens to achieve proper size, illumination, and focus of images, and proper volume and tone of sound.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Inspect projection equipment prior to operation to ensure proper working order.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Perform minor repairs, such as replacing worn sprockets, or notify maintenance personnel of the need for major repairs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Open and close facilities according to rules and schedules.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Observe projector operation to anticipate need to transfer operations from one projector to another.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Motion Picture Projectionists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Motion Picture Projectionists professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Motion Picture Projectionists
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.46
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.39
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.98
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.78
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.73
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.70
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Independence
4.0
Integrity
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Self-Control
3.7
Analytical Thinking
3.6
Cooperation
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Motion Picture Projectionists.
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