How much does a Film Crew Member make?

The average salary for a Film Crew Member is $35,328 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 699 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Film Crew Member employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Film Crew Member in United States is $42,288 per year.

The lowest salary for a Film Crew Member in United States is $29,597 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Film Crew Member or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Film Crew Member.

A film crew member can work full-time for a company as a salaried employee, but most of them chose to run their own business and do freelance work. This work structure requires them to dedicate time to submitting bids, writing contracts, getting permission to shoot on locations that are not open to the public, obtaining copywrite protection and keeping financial records. They generally earn pay similar to broadcast, sound and video technicians or to journalists and news analysts.

Powered by Glassdoor Economic Research

If you're interested in the entertainment business, film crew member careers can be lucrative. According to Glassdoor's anonymous employee ratings, 66% of film crew members are pleased with their salaries. Base salaries combined with cash bonuses and tips can result in an excellent salary.

Film crew members can expect to make between $25,246.54 and $49,679.83, depending on the experience you've gained along your film crew member career path. Pay varies over the years based on whether you stay in the same specialty and the number of years you work. Learning new skills, like using Adobe Photoshop, may give you a better chance at a higher salary.

The best way to achieve a higher salary as a film crew member is to start at the bottom of the totem pole and work your way up. It may be possible to begin your career as a volunteer on set while still in college. Explore different opportunities to gain a wide range of experience in different specialties, including lighting, production, special effects, sound production, and directing. A degree in cinema and media arts or a bachelor's in communications as well as CEA, LC, and CLD certifications may guarantee you a higher salary.

Once you reach the interview stage for a new film crew member job, you'll want to know how to negotiate a higher salary. Research and learn what the base salary is for your city and state. This can vary greatly depending on the cost of living for your city. Study the company culture and get a general idea of what they pay. Compare your skills and education level and highlight those requirements that match the job description. Present this information to the hiring manager as a starting point in the negotiation process.