What is the Average salary of a cinematographer per year?

Answer 1

In order to answer this question we must first define the term.

The term " cinematographer* " has traditionally meant a film cameraman, and in the recent decade has come to include "videographers" in it's description. Generally, cameramen who shoot weddings, depositions, and local TV ads are not called "cinematographers". A cinematographer may operate the camera, but is always in charge of the image creation and lighting. A camera operator who does not control or design lighting is not generally accepted as a cinematographer, but instead a camera operator.

Incomes vary wildly based on the frequency of and type of work a cinematographer gets, as well as market and competition. Since the digital revolution, lowest salaries have dropped drastically as competition has risen exponentially. New cinematographers with a reel and equipment may only earn $200-300 per 10 or 12 hour day, where established cinematographers can earn between $500-$800 per day on multiple day shoots, and hold out for $1500 and up on single day shoots, without providing any gear. Feature film scale is around $5000 per week labor only.. "name" cinematographers can command a quote 5 times that or more... but on low budget indies ( under $2 million ), cinematographers often work for free or a stipend to gain the screen credit and demo reel footage. It is not entirely uncommon in the low budget realm for newer DP's to make less money than their gaffer or camera assistants.

Generally, newer cinematographers who provide equipment still make a fraction of what an established cinematographer makes without providing any gear.. ironically, unless hired on a TV series or freelancing for many regular clients, established DP's may have the same annual income as a hard-working and sought after newer cinematographer...but will work a few days a month rather than full time to achieve that income. The author of this answer knows 8 Los Angeles cinematographers and 1 in the midwest; the L.A. cinematographers have annual incomes ranging from $18,000 to over $300,000 , with both being extremes. Most are in the range of $35-75,000. The Midwest cinematographer is at the higher end of that range. In Los Angeles today, many cinematographers work mostly free or have trust funds or savings / benefactors. This is a function of supply and demand and may not be true in all global markets.. clearly however the digital revolution and the explosion of film schools has shortened the learning curve and demystified some of the craft to the point that now there are far too many people calling themselves "cinematographer" to all be employed, even occasionally.

It is an incredibly attractive, and hence competitive, career field.

*The union definition of cinematographer is "Director of Photography" or "DP" ( occasionally "DoP", archaic U.S. / British. In the UK, cinematography is divided between Lighting Cameraman and Operating Cameraman.