High-Paying Jobs in Film & Television
The film and television industry can be lucrative for experienced and successful professionals. Annual salaries vary, however, and are based on the worker's skill level, the company and the nature of the film or TV project. Professionals in this industry should ideally be comfortable balancing numerous skills and duties -- many of these jobs require a combination of producing, directing, writing and dramatic experience.
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Producers
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Producers are involved in every phase of the film and TV process. These professionals are responsible for finding new projects, editing scripts, financing productions and recruiting cast and crew members. Producers earn, on average as of 2011, between $30,000 and $100,000 a year, depending on their experience and the company. A producer with less than a year of experience can earn up to $18 an hour, while a producer with at least 20 years of experience can expect up to $70 an hour.
Film/Video Editors
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Film and video editors study and assemble footage to create coherent stories. An editor strives to create dramatic continuity and to establish the intended mood of the story. Editors are paid, on average, between $23,000 and $93,000 a year, depending on experience. Some companies pay more -- NBC Universal, Inc., offers its editors a yearly salary of up to $160,000. A starting salary for editors at this company is roughly $60,000 -- more than double the national average expected for entry-level workers in this profession.
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Performers
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Actors and actresses help to promote film and TV projects by engaging and entertaining audiences. The majority of performers are not famous. Many perform supporting roles or work as extras -- pedestrians and other anonymous people in the background. The total salary average is between $19,000 and $155,000 a year. The acting profession benefits newer professionals. A performer with one to four years of experience can earn an average of up to $100,000 a year. A professional with 10 to 19 years of experience can make, on average, up to $77,000 a year.
Writers
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Screenwriters develop scripts from original or adapted story ideas. Writers work with directors and producers to create story concepts, dialogue, actions and camera placements. Successful writers are inherently creative and also capable of collaborating extensively with production staff. Salaries for scriptwriters vary widely. The median annual salary for a scriptwriter is $44,000 a year. Popular and successful writers, however, command salaries ranging between $100,000 and $600,000 for each script. Many writers also earn royalties -- continued payments for their work -- or a percentage of box-office earnings.
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