Film and video editors put together into a cohesive story the footage that the directors shoot. Editors may work on motion pictures, television shows, commercials, music videos, news stories, or any kind of filmed entertainment. Sample job titles include: editor, news editor, video editor, videographer, news video editor, news videotape editor, non-linear editor, multimedia artist, production manager, and tape editor. Now virtually all editing is done digitally. Even when something is shot on film or tape it is converted to a digital format for editing and then usually converted back to the original medium.

Average Salary:

$50,560 Read More...

Camera operators work television, video, or motion picture cameras to photograph images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures.  Sample job titles include: camera operator, photojournalist, television news photographer, production assistant, videographer, master control operator (MCO), cameraman, production technician, studio camera operator, and floor director. As with the still camera, those who know how to properly use a motion camera can work in any number of industries, from television news to sitcoms, from sports to movies.

Average Salary:

$41,670

Average Hours (per week): Read More...

Photojournalists document people and events, usually for news stories, but sometimes also for feature stories. Though photojournalists are usually still photographers, videographers, documentary filmmakers, and various video and film artists may also consider themselves to be photojournalists. Many specialize in specific areas, such as sports, entertainment, foreign policy, war, nature, travel, or crime. Most often their photographs accompany news stories, but photojournalists try to capture the moments that speak for themselves.

Average Salary:

$24,040

Average Hours (per week):

Photojournalists work in publishing, news gathering, government, advertising, and other fields. Travel is frequently required, sometimes over long stretches.  The hours are extremely erratic. Read More...

Scientific photographers take images of a variety of subjects to record scientific or medical data or phenomena, using knowledge of scientific procedures. They typically possess additional knowledge in areas such as engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry.  They create photographic displays for scientific exhibits, brochures, and other related material.

Average Salary:

$48,326

Average Hours (per week):

Scientific photographers are typically free-lance professionals who contract out their services.  Some are employed in part-time and full-time positions in industrial research and development, and education.

Union:

None

Certifications:

Some certifications are available in particular sciences. Read More...

The biomedical photographer photographs patients, operating room procedures, and autopsy specimens; the biomedical photographer also designs layouts and materials for special projects, and selects the most technically correct, cost effective and efficient method for photographing subjects. This photographer typically reports to a supervisor or manager.

Average Salary:

$48,326

Average Hours (per week):

Medical photographers are typically free-lance professionals contracting their services.  Some are employed in part-time and full-time positions in hospitals, medical schools, and in the biomedical industry.

Union:

None

Certifications: Read More...

Photographers photograph persons, subjects, merchandise, or other commercial products. They may develop negatives and produce finished prints.  Sample job titles include: photographer, photojournalist, newspaper photographer, newspaper photojournalist, advertising photographer, news photographer, photo editor, sports photographer, and studio photographer.

Average Salary:

$29,440

Average Hours (per week):

Working conditions for photographers vary considerably. Some photographers may work a 5-day, 40-hour week. News photographers, however, often work long, irregular hours and must be available to work on short notice. Many photographers work part time or on variable schedules.   60 percent of photographers are self-employed and 28 percent are employed in professional, scientific, and technical services. Read More...

Sound engineering technicians operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in sporting arenas, theatre productions, recording studios, or movie and video productions.

Average Salary:

$47,490

Average Hours (per week):

Evening, weekend, and holiday work is common.

Union:

None

Certifications:

None

Training Period:

Sound engineering technicians usually complete a vocational program, which can take about a year, although there are shorter programs. Prospective technicians should take high school courses in math, physics, and electronics. Technicians need to have excellent computer training to be successful in this field. Read More...

Radio operators receive and transmit communications using radio/telephone equipment, in accordance with government regulations. They may also repair equipment. A sample of job titles includes: communications specialist, radio electronics officer (REO), flight communications specialist, radio operator, telecommunication operator, airline operations agent, flight follower, police communications operator, communications technician, and radio electronics technician (RET).

Average Salary:

$37,120

Average Hours (per week):

Over 58 percent of jobs for radio operators are with government agencies.  15 percent of them work in the information telecommunications industry.

Union:

None

Certifications:

No certification or licensing is required for most radio operator jobs. Read More...

Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. They control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. They operate transmitters to broadcast radio or television programs.  Sample job titles include: broadcast engineer, and audio engineer.

Average Salary:

$32,900

Average Hours (per week): Read More...

AV technicians set up, and/or operate audio and video equipment, including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment. They may do this for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, or news conferences, among other possible events. They may also set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems. Sample job titles include: production assistant, audio visual technician, master control operator (MCO), broadcast engineer, stagehand, videographer, audio/visual manager, audio/visual operator, equipment technician, master control engineer

Average Salary:

$38,050

Average Hours (per week): Read More...

Interpreters translate or interpret written, oral, or sign language text into another language for others.  Sample job titles include: sign language interpreter, interpreter, translator, educational interpreter, medical interpreter, paraprofessional interpreter, bilingual interpreter, conference interpreter, conference translator, court interpreter

Average Salary:

$38,850

Average Hours (per week):

Over 26 percent of interpreters are self-employed freelancers. Their schedules often vary, with periods of limited work interspersed with periods requiring long, irregular hours. For those who freelance, a significant amount of time must be dedicated to looking for jobs. Another 28 percent of interpreters work in educational settings.  Interpreters who work over the telephone or through videoconferencing generally work in call centers in urban areas and keep to a standard 5-day, 40-hour work week. Read More...

Here described as “creative writers,” this field encompasses a great deal of work.  Generally creative writers are responsible for original written works, whether they are film or stage scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics – all for publication or performance. Sample job titles include: author, freelance writer, novelist, songwriter, lyricist, book reviewer, creative writer, documentary script writer, freelance journalist, or librettist.

Average Salary:

$53,070

Average Hours (per week): Read More...

Writers originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material. They work in both fiction and non-fiction, depending on their specialties and on the demands of the marketplace.

Average Salary:

$53,070

Average Hours (per week):

Some writers keep regular office hours, either to maintain contact with sources and editors or to establish a writing routine, but most writers are freelance and therefore set their own hours. Many writers — especially freelance writers — are paid per completed assignment. So, they must work any number of hours necessary to meet a deadline. As a result, writers must be willing to work evenings, nights, or weekends to produce a piece acceptable to an editor or client by the deadline. Read More...

Editors plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. They often review story proposals from writers, or assign stories from other sources to particular writers. They must sometimes copy edit drafts of stories for possible publication.  Job titles may include:  copy editor, technical editor, and advertising editor.

Average Salary:

$57,180

Average Hours (per week): Read More...

Reporters, or journalists, investigate leads and news tips to write stories for publication or broadcast. They look at documents, observe events at the scene, and interview people. They take careful notes and may sometimes take photographs or shoot videos. They organize the material, decide which aspects of the story to emphasize, write their stories, and edit accompanying video material. Usually, reporters enter information or write stories on laptop computers and electronically submit the material to their offices from remote locations. Increasingly, reporters are asked to maintain and produce material for a newspaper’s website. Radio and television reporters often compose stories and report live from the scene. At times, they later tape an introduction to, or commentary on, their stories in the studio. Some journalists also interpret the news or offer opinions to readers, viewers, or listeners. In this role, they are called commentators or columnists. Read More...