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Colorist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, colorists don't need a college education. The most common degree for colorists is bachelor's degree with 59% graduates, with only 21% colorist graduates earning associate degree. Colorists who decided to graduate from college often finish Fashion Institute of Technology or Savannah College of Art and Design. Some good skills to have in this position include color correction, davinci resolve and color theory.

What education do you need to become a colorist?

What degree do you need to be a colorist?

The most common degree for colorists is bachelor's degree, with 59% of colorists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 21% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 59%
  • Associate, 21%
  • High School Diploma, 9%
  • Master's, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a colorist?

You should major in cosmetology to become a colorist. 32% of colorists major in cosmetology. Other common majors for a colorist include photography and graphic design.

Best majors for colorists

RankMajorPercentages
1Cosmetology31.6%
2Photography16.0%
3Graphic Design14.5%
4Fine Arts8.1%
5Communication4.7%

20 best online courses for colorists

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1. Learn Digital Color with Photoshop

udemy
4.9
(834)

Learn coloring from a professional colorist!...

2. A Pro's Guide to Digital Comic Book Coloring

udemy
4.4
(667)

Learn the entire process start to finish in Photoshop. Coloring is so much more than just staying inside the lines...

3. Premiere Pro Lumetri: Color Correct like a Pro

udemy
4.5
(1,245)

Learn the essentials of color philosophy and perform technical color correction and grading tasks...

4. Adobe Premiere Pro: Color Grading Masterclass (Updated)

udemy
4.3
(560)

Learn Color Correction & Color Grading and Create Professional Cinematic Looks with Adobe Premiere Pro...

5. Premiere Pro Lumetri 2020: Color Correct & Color Grade

udemy
4.7
(331)

Start learning Color Correction and Color Grading in this complete beginners class...

6. Color Grading Masterclass: Resolve 15

udemy
4.2
(499)

Learn How to Take Your Color Grading to the Next Level and Become a Pro. Made by a Netflix Film Director...

7. Video Editing in DaVinci Resolve 18/17: Beginner to Advanced

udemy
4.6
(8,356)

Learn Video Editing in Da Vinci Resolve with Color Correction & Color Grading & Visual Effects in Da Vinci Resolve 18.5...

8. Cinematic Color Grading: Making Your Videos Come Alive

udemy
4.4
(1,389)

Learn how to take your footage to the next level using professional color correct and grading techniques...

9. Mastering Advanced Color Grading in Photoshop

udemy
4.2
(613)

Learn Professional Color Grading Techniques in Photoshop and make your Images Stand Out - with Ressources...

10. Digital Coloring: Comic Style Light & Shadow Made Easy!

udemy
4.6
(321)

Render amazing highlights and shading with this step-by-step approach From pro comic colorist K. Michael Russell...

11. The Beginner's Guide to Color Theory for Digital Artists

udemy
4.7
(1,794)

Let's go beyond the color wheel. Learn how to practically apply color theory to your art & stop being afraid of color!...

12. Character Art School: Complete Coloring and Painting

udemy
4.6
(5,676)

Learn the key fundamentals to Coloring and Painting your art to a high level using professional techniques...

13. Learn to Color Grade and Edit video with DaVinci Resolve 15

udemy
4.5
(813)

Professionally create stunning videos with the worlds most powerful FREE video editing software...

14. Video Editing using DaVinci Resolve

udemy
4.7
(333)

Getting Started with Da Vinci Resolve. Start to make your own videos. Perfect for beginners...

15. DaVinci Resolve 2023: Video Editing in DaVinci Resolve

udemy
4.4
(3,292)

Master the art of Video Editing, Color Correction & Color Grading in Da Vinci Resolve 16 & Da Vinci Resolve 17...

16. A Pro's Guide to Coloring with CLIP STUDIO PAINT!

udemy
4.7
(738)

Beginners, hobbyists, students, & pros: learn a complete digital coloring workflow step-by-step from a pro colorist...

17. Color Theory for Designers

udemy
4.5
(504)

Get Inspired by Color for Graphic Design...

18. Learn the Secret of Successful Color Mixing for Painters

udemy
4.7
(360)

How to get the color you want every time you paint...

19. Color Grading with Da Vinci Resolve: Beginner to Advanced

udemy
4.4
(3,542)

Learn to grade like a professional with hands-on projects and guidance!...

20. The Complete Drawing Course: Colored Pencil Drawing Art

udemy
4
(343)

Complete Drawing Course from Beginner to Advanced. Ultimate Drawing & Sketching Art with Colored Pencils Drawing...

Average colorist salary by education level

Colorists with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $42,724 annually. With a Associate degree, colorists earn a median annual income of $39,538 compared to $36,781 for colorists with an High School Diploma degree.
Colorist education levelColorist salary
High School Diploma or Less$36,781
Bachelor's Degree$42,724
Some College/ Associate Degree$39,538

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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