Film & Photography
Quick Facts: Film & Photography Training
Where it's offered
Film & Photography programs are offered at 23 schools across 14 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $21,229/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 8 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Film & Photography — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 23 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 26/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Film & Photography Graduates Do
Your career could start on a bustling film set, positioning C-stands and running audio cables, or in a quiet studio, meticulously adjusting lights for the perfect product shot. As you advance, you might become a producer, juggling budgets, schedules, and creative personalities to bring a vision to life. Or you could be a film editor, spending your days in a dark room with Adobe Premiere, weaving raw footage and sound into a compelling story.
Read more
Most paths begin with entry-level roles like production assistant or photographer’s assistant, where you learn the craft and build your network. With a strong portfolio, you can progress to roles like camera operator or independent photographer with steady clients. Demand is growing fastest for producers, directors, and editors who can manage complex projects. While starting pay can be modest, experienced specialists who run their own studios or become lead producers command significantly higher earnings.
AI tools are emerging to help with planning tasks like storyboarding or initial editing cuts, but the core hands-on work of operating a camera, directing talent, and making final creative decisions remains a fundamentally human skill.
You may also want to compare Film & Photography with Visual & Performing Arts, Dance, and Music on earnings and ROI.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 8 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Film & Photography. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Camera Operator
RAPIDS 955 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $68,810 – $102K | 1.2% |
|
Digital Video Editor (Existing Title: Film Or Video Tape Editor)
RAPIDS 2070CB |
Competency | Competency | $50K – $70,980 – $102K | 4.0% |
|
Director, Television
RAPIDS 970 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $60K – $83,480 – $131K | 4.9% |
|
Film Or Videotape Editor
RAPIDS 127 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $50K – $70,980 – $102K | 4.0% |
|
Multimedia Producer (Existing Title: Tv Director)
RAPIDS 0970CB |
Competency | Competency | $60K – $83,480 – $131K | 4.9% |
|
Photographer, Motion Picture
RAPIDS 402 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $68,810 – $102K | 1.2% |
|
Photographer, Still
RAPIDS 403 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $35K – $42,520 – $62K | 1.8% |
|
Program Assistant
RAPIDS 913 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $60K – $83,480 – $131K | 4.9% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Film & Photography Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Film & Photography is offered at 23 schools across 14 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Film & Photography Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Film & Photography programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 23 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Film & Photography Programs
Schools where Film & Photography graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College Area | $39,877/yr | 57 |
| Academy of Art University | $30,178/yr | 36 |
| Seattle Film Institute | $28,447/yr | 35 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | $27,990/yr | 34 |
| DSDT | $27,870/yr | 41 |
| Full Sail University | $25,501/yr | 33 |
| Full Sail University | $24,679/yr | 31 |
| Nashville Film Institute | $22,919/yr | 37 |
| Miami Dade College | $22,587/yr | 40 |
| Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology | $21,610/yr | 37 |
Best ROI for Film & Photography
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Film & Photography.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia College | 74.3x | $16,635/yr | 41 |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | 59.7x | $39,877/yr | 57 |
| Community College of Aurora | 44.6x | $20,533/yr | 39 |
| Miami Dade College | 38.8x | $22,587/yr | 40 |
| Palm Beach State College | 33.4x | $21,002/yr | 37 |
| Oklahoma City Community College | 24.9x | $21,032/yr | 35 |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | 24.3x | $21,172/yr | 35 |
| Colegio de Cinematografia Artes y Television | 22.5x | $7,470/yr | 29 |
| Full Sail University | 8.7x | $25,501/yr | 33 |
| Seattle Film Institute | 7.6x | $28,447/yr | 35 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Film & Photography degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.