by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant explores Photographic And Film/video Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To The Operation And Maintenance Of Camera And Lighting Equipment And The Production Of Finished Still, Video, And Film Products Under The Supervision Of Photographers, Directors, And Editors. Includes Instruction In Equipment Setup And Maintenance; Lighting; Power Supplies; Studio And Film Set Tasks Such As Camera Operator, Grip, And Best Boy; Plate And Negative Handling And Development; Laboratory Procedures; And Digital Software Applications. Examples: [Photographic And Film/video Assistant]. Read on to learn the key facts every photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant programs.
Nationwide, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant is a popular field of study, with 1,287 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools ranking analyzes these 101 schools to determine the best overall colleges for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant programs later in this article.
Programs in Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 162 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 388 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 57 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 673 |
People currently working in careers related to photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 19.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.2% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | 360,660 | 6.8% |
| Lighting Technicians | 99,715 | 13.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $20,139 |
| 4 years | $28,273 |
| 5 years | $32,523 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,086 |
| Lighting Technicians | $45,092 |
With 101 different photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant school rankings to help you.
Those considering photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Recording Arts Technology/Technician | 3,658 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician | 1,515 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other | 684 |
| Voice Writing Technology/Technician | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
