How To Become A Motion Picture Projectionist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a motion picture projectionist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a motion picture projectionist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $23.23 an hour? That's $48,316 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 8% and produce 4,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreMotion Picture ProjectionistUS Average

Salary

3.8

Avg. Salary $48,316

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.49%

Asian 4.97%

Black or African American 7.56%

Hispanic or Latino 12.33%

Unknown 5.35%

White 69.30%

Gender

female 9.68%

male 90.32%

Age - 27

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 27

Stress level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.2

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a motion picture projectionist

Explore motion picture projectionist education requirements

Most common motion picture projectionist degrees

Associate

47.1 %

Bachelor's

41.2 %

High School Diploma

5.9 %

Start to develop specific motion picture projectionist skills

Skills	Percentages
Projection	42.39%
Control Systems	24.29%
Audio Equipment	19.98%
Video Tape	13.33%

Complete relevant motion picture projectionist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New motion picture projectionists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a motion picture projectionist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real motion picture projectionist resumes.

Research motion picture projectionist duties and responsibilities

Create and manage sessions to be play in the cinema (including attaching relevant advertising and trailers to the feature).
Monitor operations to ensure that standards for sound and image projection quality are meet.
Perform EMI and EMC tests on PLC motion modules and document results for CE certification and compliance.
Assess projection equipment and movie film prior to operation in order to ensure both are in proper working order.

Prepare your motion picture projectionist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your motion picture projectionist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a motion picture projectionist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable motion picture projectionist resume templates

Build a professional motion picture projectionist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your motion picture projectionist resume.