Human edge, steady

Motion picture projectionists

Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.

AI Resistance Index 37 of 99

Changing faster than most: more resilient than 37% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by -6.2% by 2035, expected to shrink.

AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.

Median pay (2025): $38,270
Job growth to 2035: -6.2%
Openings a year: 300
People doing it (2025): 1,500
Usual route in: No formal credential, then short on-the-job training

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Where people already use AI for this work

Maintain facilities or equipment
Set up equipment

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Operate audiovisual or related equipment
Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment
Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance

What the work looks like

Monitor operations to ensure that standards for sound and image projection quality are met.
Inspect movie films to ensure that they are complete and in good condition.
Start projectors and open shutters to project images onto screens.
Open and close facilities according to rules and schedules.
Operate equipment to show films in a number of theaters simultaneously.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as increased demand for alternative content, or event cinema, at movie theaters will reduce demand for motion picture projectionists to set up and operate motion picture projection.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

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Also known as: Booth Operator, Movie Projectionist, Projectionist, Technical Projection Guide, Cinema Projectionist, Digital Projectionist, Film Specialist, Motion Picture Projectionist.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.