The Arts, Media, and Entertainment Sector offers a broad range of employment opportunities. The variety of careers in this sector can accommodate different personalities ranging from eccentric actresses and professional gamers to multi-tasking managers. To be successful in these careers, self-discipline is a must. Work is often project-based, requiring time management skills with the ability to meet strict deadlines. Academic studies are needed to understand and keep up with changing technology used in this industry. A broad academic background, and interpersonal skills are also valuable. Participating in the arts promotes teamwork, communication skills, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
Career Pathways
This pathway includes occupations that use tools and materials as the primary means of creative expression. Artists and photographers use visual mediums as their tools in the same way writers, poets, and publishers use written mediums. The electronic and aural fields used in this pathway are constantly changing as technology evolves, requiring continuing studies to keep up. With the increasing use of art and design elements in daily life, the demand for jobs in this pathway will continue to grow.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Graphic Designers
- Lighting Technicians
- Film Loaders
- Publicity Directors
- Cutters/Fitters/Seamstress
- Fine Artists
- Media and Design Arts Technicians
- Photographers
- Special Effects Coordinators
- Videographers
- Camera Operators
- Animators
- Sound Technicians
- Make-Up Artists
- Sign Painters
The Performing Arts Pathway includes occupations that involve the direct creation of art and entertainment by the individual artist. The performing artists are themselves the means of creative expression, without a dependence on an outside medium.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Actors
- Announcers
- Radio/Television Broadcasters
- Music Directors/Conductors
- Dancers
- Voice-Over Artists
- Fashion Models
- Entertainers
- Musicians
- Film Composers
- Stunt Doubles
- Composers
- Choreographers
The Production and Managerial Arts Pathway focuses on the technical, organizational, and managerial knowledge and skills necessary to bring arts, media, and entertainment to the public. Artistic occupations require some form of publication to reach their target audience. Managers are needed to advance individual careers, technicians are needed to craft and run shows, producers are needed to create the shows, and editors and proofreaders are needed to help bring shows to life.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Production Managers
- Stage Managers
- Costume Designers
- Set Designers
- Publishers
- Entertainment and Web Site Technicians
- Performance Tour Managers
- Camera Operators
- Sound Engineers
- Producers
- Sound Design Editors
- Visual Effects Coordinators
Programs of Study
| Program of Study | Author | Career Pathway | Download this Program of Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multimedia | Los Angeles Mission College | Media and Design Arts Pathway | |
| Music | Los Angeles Mission College | Performing Arts Pathway | |
| Theatre Production Design & Managerial Arts | Los Angeles Mission College | Productions and Managerial Arts Pathway |
Labor Market Information
The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.
| Occupation Title | Employment Levels in 2006 | Projected Employment Level 2016 | Projected Job Growth | Percent of Job Growth | 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage | 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage | 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage | 2008 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actors | 50,500 | 59,400 | 17.6% | $23.09 | $923.60 | $3,879.12 | $46,549.40 | |
| Architects | 15,700 | 16,900 | 7.6% | $39.37 | $1,574.80 | $6,614.16 | $79,369.90 | |
| Artists, Performers & Athletes Agents | 8,000 | 9,300 | 16.3% | $48.46 | $1,938.40 | $8,141.28 | $97,695.40 | |
| Broadcast Technicians | 4,800 | 5,600 | 16.7% | $19.00 | $760.00 | $3,192.00 | $38,304.00 | |
| Camera Operators | 7,100 | 8,300 | 16.9% | $27.54 | $1,101.60 | $4,626.72 | $55,520.60 | |
| Choreographers | 4,000 | 3,900 | -2.5% | $23.37 | $934.80 | $3,926.16 | $47,113.90 | |
| Coaches and Scouts | 27,700 | 31,900 | 15.2% | $20.22 | $808.80 | $3,396.96 | $40,763.50 | |
| Court reporters | 2,000 | 2,400 | 20.0% | $33.48 | $1,339.20 | $5,624.64 | $67,495.70 | |
| Dancers | 3,400 | 4,100 | 20.6% | $12.20 | $488.00 | $2,049.60 | $24,595.20 | |
| Event planners | 5,300 | 6,100 | 15.1% | $24.74 | $989.60 | $4,156.32 | $49,875.80 | |
| Fashion designers | 4,600 | 5,300 | 15.2% | $36.64 | $1,465.60 | $6,155.52 | $73,866.20 | |
| Film & Video Editors | 7,000 | 8,200 | 17.1% | $38.62 | $1,544.80 | $6,488.16 | $77,857.90 | |
| Interpretors & Translators | 7,100 | 9,200 | 29.6% | $21.15 | $846.00 | $3,553.20 | $42,638.40 | |
| Jewelers | 5,700 | 5,800 | 1.8% | $14.54 | $581.60 | $2,442.72 | $29,312.60 | |
| Multi Media Artists & Animators | 27,900 | 36,800 | 31.9% | $38.98 | $1,559.20 | $6,548.64 | $78,583.70 | |
| Music Directors & Composers | 6,500 | 7,400 | 13.8% | $40.57 | $1,622.80 | $6,815.76 | $81,789.10 | |
| Musicians | 21,000 | 22,900 | 9.0% | $13.04 | $521.60 | $2,190.72 | $26,288.60 | |
| Producers and Directors | 21,100 | 24,700 | 17.1% | $47.50 | $1,900.00 | $7,980.00 | $95,760.00 | |
| Public Relations Specialists | 26,000 | 30,800 | 18.5% | $31.39 | $1,255.60 | $5,273.52 | $63,282.20 | |
| Set & Exhibit Designers | 2,300 | 2,700 | 17.4% | $30.34 | $1,213.60 | $5,097.12 | $61,165.40 | |
| Writers & Authors | 17,800 | 21,100 | 18.5% | $44.93 | $1,797.20 | $7,548.24 | $90,578.90 |