Best institutions to study 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.
103 U.S. institutions graduated 1,328 Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 10.0201, a specialization of Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (CIP 10.02), and leads most directly to the Audio and Video Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 27-4011).
About Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician program prepares individuals for careers in audiovisual communications by teaching the operation and maintenance of camera and lighting equipment. This program is ideal for those interested in the technical aspects of photography, film, and video production, working under the guidance of industry professionals such as photographers and directors.
Learn more about Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician →
Students in this program gain essential skills in equipment setup and maintenance, lighting techniques, and various production tasks. Coursework includes hands-on training in digital software applications and laboratory procedures, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in the audiovisual field.
Credentials awarded
What Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year718 graduates / yr · 65 institutions54%
- Associate's degree369 graduates / yr · 65 institutions28%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years151 graduates / yr · 31 institutions11%
- Bachelor's degree71 graduates / yr · 7 institutions5.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks19 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.4%
Graduates over time
Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 835 |
| 2013 | 864 |
| 2014 | 909 |
| 2015 | 1,028 |
| 2016 | 934 |
| 2017 | 954 |
| 2018 | 871 |
| 2019 | 945 |
| 2020 | 1,074 |
| 2021 | 875 |
| 2022 | 872 |
| 2023 | 1,056 |
| 2024 | 1,285 |
| 2025 | 1,328 |
Top 50 institutions for Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 95 | 36% | — | — |
| 2 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 75 | 40% | — | — |
| 3 | Riverside City College Riverside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 68 | 37% | — | — |
| 4 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 46 | 33% | — | — |
| 5 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 43 | 24% | — | — |
| 6 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 36 | 37% | — | — |
| 7 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 31 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 31% | — | — |
| 9 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 28 | 66% | $27,359 | $24,389 |
| 10 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 58% | — | — |
| 11 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | 45% | — | — |
| 12 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 23 | 41% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 23 | 55% | — | — |
| 14 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 34% | — | — |
| 15 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 22 | 33% | — | — |
| 16 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 21 | 48% | — | — |
| 17 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 38% | — | — |
| 18 | Olympic College Bremerton, WAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | 31% | — | — |
| 19 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 20 | 34% | — | — |
| 20 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 32% | — | — |
| 21 | MediaTech Institute - Dallas Dallas, TXPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 20 | 70% | $19,634 | $21,151 |
| 22 | Barstow Community College Barstow, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 19 | 39% | — | — |
| 23 | Pearl River Community College Poplarville, MSPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 37% | — | — |
| 24 | Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 36% | — | — |
| 25 | Lansing Community College Lansing, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 25% | — | — |
| 26 | Randolph Community College Asheboro, NCPublicAssociate's | 17 | 58% | — | — |
| 27 | South Plains College Levelland, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 17 | 29% | — | — |
| 28 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 16 | 42% | — | — |
| 29 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 42% | — | — |
| 30 | Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center Choctaw, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 92% | — | — |
| 31 | Laney College Oakland, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 31% | — | — |
| 32 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 15 | 44% | — | — |
| 33 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 43% | — | — |
| 34 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 20% | — | — |
| 35 | MiraCosta College Oceanside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 14 | 41% | — | — |
| 36 | Carteret Community College Morehead City, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 13 | 49% | — | — |
| 37 | Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPublicAssociate's | 13 | 24% | — | — |
| 38 | Cypress College Cypress, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 37% | — | — |
| 39 | Columbia State Community College Columbia, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 30% | — | — |
| 40 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 32% | — | — |
| 41 | Mt San Jacinto Community College District San Jacinto, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 36% | — | — |
| 42 | Ventura College Ventura, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 38% | — | — |
| 43 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAssociate's | 11 | 29% | — | $31,172 |
| 44 | Francis Tuttle Technology Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 52% | — | — |
| 45 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 30% | — | — |
| 46 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 48% | — | — |
| 47 | San Diego City College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 30% | — | — |
| 48 | Solano Community College Fairfield, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 9 | 36% | — | — |
| 49 | Las Positas College Livermore, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 9 | 53% | — | — |
| 50 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 8 | 26% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 10.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 25 states
Where Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-4011, Audio and Video Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as audio and video technicians or lighting technicians, with an expected job growth rate of 3.3% and approximately 7,300 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $54,830, and most roles require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 10.0201
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Audio and Video Techniciansprimary SOC 27-4011 | $58,100 | +3.3% About as fast as average | ~7,300 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Lighting Technicians SOC 27-4015 | $68,060 | -4.6% Decline | ~800 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
Tools and technology used
Other Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (CIP 10.02).
- Recording Arts Technology/CIP 10.0203
Technician 3,670 graduates / yr173 institutions - Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/CIP 10.0202
Technician 1,488 graduates / yr84 institutions - Audiovisual Communications Technologies/CIP 10.0299
Technicians 841 graduates / yr17 institutions - Voice Writing Technology/CIP 10.0204
Technician limited data15 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What types of careers can I pursue with this program?+
Graduates can work as audio and video technicians or lighting technicians.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will learn monitoring, critical thinking, and technical skills related to audiovisual equipment.
How long does it take to complete this program?+
Programs typically award certificates in 12 weeks to less than 1 academic year.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a median wage of $54,830.
What is the CIP code for Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician?+
Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician is CIP 10.0201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (CIP 10.02). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician programs?+
103 U.S. institutions reported Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 25 states, awarding 1,328 credentials in the year. That is 18.1% of all Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Audio and Video Technicians occupation, which Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $58,100 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $25,668 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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