Documentary Filmmakers

• Documentary filmmakers typically work either as independent artists or for studios in the motion picture industry. As independent artists, documentary filmmakers earned an average salary of $101,240 per year in 2010 with a median, or 50th percentile income, of $70,780 per year. Those working for studios in the motion picture and video industries earned a mean $109,860 per year and a median income of $92,830 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  
  

Industry Comparisons

• Comparatively, filmmakers working as independent artists and employed by studios fared better than in other industries. For example, filmmakers in the radio and television broadcasting industry earned $72,030 on average in 2010. Filmmakers employed by state governments earned a mean $68,750 annually, while those working in cable and other subscription programming took home $95,380 per year on average, states the BLS.
  
  

Location Makes a Difference

• Location is a major factor in directors' salaries, including documentary filmmakers. California employed the most filmmakers and provided the highest average salary of $126,360 per year in 2010. New York wasn't too far behind, with a mean $111,930 annually. Filmmakers in nearby Vermont made less than half of that at $52,340 on average, while in Washington, D.C., the average income was $90,820 reported the BLS.
  
  

National Ranking

• The average salary of an American filmmaker in 2010 was $88,610 per year or $42.60 hourly, according to the BLS. The median or 50th percentile income that year was $68,440 annually or $32.90 per hour, ranking documentary filmmakers in the third quartile or 50th to 75th percentile range, according to the BLS.