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Careers›Roles›Film and Media Program Instructor
Mid-Level

Film and Media Program Instructor

Students who want to make film and media learn the craft from you — production, editing, storytelling — taught hands-on, with the tools changing under everyone's feet. Mentor and working knowledge, on a deadline.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
S
I
C
A
R
E
Socialhelping, teaching
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Film and Media Program Instructors
Education · 100%
Job markets for Film and Media Program Instructors
Employment concentration · ~21 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Education
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Film and Media Program Instructor

The work blends hands-on instruction, project critique, and equipment wrangling — teaching production and editing, then guiding students through real projects and feedback. You balance creative mentorship with the craft of teaching, and keeping current with fast-moving tools is part of the job. Much of the day is drawing real work out of students who arrive with wildly different skill.

The harder reality is the gap between making media and teaching it — plus grading, gear budgets, and student readiness that varies widely. Programs and resources differ sharply, and the field changes faster than curricula. Settings range from high schools to colleges and trade programs, each with its own students and stakes to manage and meet.

It tends to fit someone knowledgeable, generous, and energized by developing young makers. If you resent time away from your own work or dislike repetition, parts of the role can wear. But if you love opening the craft to students — and watching them make something real that's truly theirs — the teaching tends to be genuinely rewarding.

What people in this role value
AchievementHigh
IndependenceAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
RecognitionAbove avg
RelationshipsModerate
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Financial Services$96K+59%
Energy & Utilities$92K+53%
Professional Services$91K+50%
Technology & Information$87K+44%
Wholesale & Distribution$66K+10%
Compared to Education average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Film and Media Program Instructors (SOC 25-1082.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Education →
Film and Media Program InstructorLibrary ProfessorClassification InstructorLibrary Science ProfessorLibrary Technology Instructor
Exploring the Film and Media Program Instructor career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$54K–$126K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
4K
U.S. Employment
+3%
10yr Growth
400
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$74K$72K$69K$67K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

InstructingReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWritingActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringComplex Problem Solving
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
25-1082.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

directorEducational Program Director$80KdirectorPreschool Program Director$56KmidLibrary Professor$79KmidClassification Instructor$79KmidLibrary Science Professor$79KmidLibrary Technology Instructor$79K
View all Education roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.