At a Glance…

The days of working in the arts and being a “starving artist” are over. Entertainment, especially in California, is big business. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the U.S. media and entertainment market is projected to grow to $804 billion by 2021, making it the largest media and entertainment market in the world. A degree or certificate from your local community college can catapult you into your new career.

Types of Careers

  • Stage Manager
  • Recording Studio Assistant
  • Special Effects Coordinator
  • Web Designer
  • Prop Maker
  • Photographer
  • Graphic Designer/Artist
  • Film Maker
  • Camera Operator
  • Screen Writer
  • Photojournalist
  • Music Minister
  • Radio/Television Broadcaster
  • Gaffer
  • Negative Cutter
  • Key Production Grip
  • Flight Attendant
  • Club Manager

Salary Snapshot

  • Software Developers, Applications: $114,141
  • Graphic Designers: $63,146
  • Software Developers, Systems Software: $124,659
  • Film and Video Editors: $107,068
  • Audio and Video Equipment Technicians: $58,535
  • Sound Engineering Technicians: $79,294
  • Commercial and Industrial Designers: $82,183
  • Desktop Publishers: $63,416

Annual wages are based on 2,080 work hours per year.

Industry Sector Pathways

  • Industry Sector Pathways
  • Animation, 3D Animation, Motion Graphics
  • Audio Production, Radio Production
  • Audio/Music Technology, Music Industry Studies, Commercial Music
  • Dance, Pilates
  • Film/Television/Video Production/Electronic Media
  • Journalism
  • Multimedia: Art/Digital Media, Graphic Design
  • Music Performance, Jazz, Piano
  • Music Technology, Songwriting
  • Photography, Digital Photography
  • Post-Production Editing
  • Printing Production
  • Screenwriting
  • Theater Arts, Technical Theater, Musical Theater
  • Game Art/Design, Game Programming

Consider a Career in Digital Media