Career and Academic Pathway

Arts, Humanities, Digital Media & Communications

Related Careers

Actors

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

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Starting Salary: $34,320

Median Salary: $60,424

Employment: 55,000

Advertising Sales Agents

Industries: Sales and Related Occupations

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

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Starting Salary: $35,240

Median Salary: $64,820

Employment: 91,700

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

Industries: Business and Financial Operations Occupations

Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.

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Starting Salary: $48,010

Median Salary: $82,890

Employment: 12,620

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Industries: Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.

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Starting Salary: $62,300

Median Salary: $99,280

Employment: 106,770

Architectural and Civil Drafters

Industries: Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

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Starting Salary: $46,260

Median Salary: $66,150

Employment: 103,700

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Industries: Management Occupations

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

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Starting Salary: $120,810

Median Salary: $171,270

Employment: 220,260

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

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Starting Salary: $58,430

Median Salary: $96,870

Employment: 7,700

Archivists

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

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Starting Salary: $39,970

Median Salary: $64,550

Employment: 7,970

Art Directors

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

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Starting Salary: $64,900

Median Salary: $114,850

Employment: 53,070

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

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Starting Salary: $47,570

Median Salary: $78,620

Employment: 93,560

Audio and Video Technicians

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.

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Starting Salary: $37,990

Median Salary: $58,100

Employment: 70,230

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

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Starting Salary: $28,190

Median Salary: $47,340

Employment: 21,240

Broadcast Technicians

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs. Control and adjust incoming and outgoing broadcast signals to regulate sound volume, signal strength, and signal clarity. Operate satellite, microwave, or other transmitter equipment to broadcast radio or television programs.

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Starting Salary: $31,390

Median Salary: $59,570

Employment: 21,110

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.

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Starting Salary: $38,520

Median Salary: $74,990

Employment: 21,550

Choreographers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.

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Starting Salary: $34,090

Median Salary: $55,310

Employment: 2,860

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Industries: Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

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Starting Salary: $44,220

Median Salary: $64,950

Employment: 68,520

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

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Starting Salary: $53,460

Median Salary: $83,910

Employment: 33,490

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

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Starting Salary: $47,590

Median Salary: $78,580

Employment: 29,420

Costume Attendants

Industries: Personal Care and Service Occupations

Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.

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Starting Salary: $32,150

Median Salary: $50,400

Employment: 6,510

Craft Artists

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.

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Starting Salary: $25,960

Median Salary: $46,080

Employment: 4,580

Curators

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

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Starting Salary: $40,470

Median Salary: $63,420

Employment: 12,150

Dancers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

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Starting Salary: $30,950

Median Salary: $51,584

Employment: 8,130

Desktop Publishers

Industries: Office and Administrative Support Occupations

Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

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Starting Salary: $35,680

Median Salary: $55,290

Employment: 3,350

Editors

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

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Starting Salary: $41,250

Median Salary: $77,920

Employment: 91,690

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Industries: Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

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Starting Salary: $50,040

Median Salary: $76,870

Employment: 17,920

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

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Starting Salary: $48,270

Median Salary: $78,760

Employment: 57,720

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Industries: Production Occupations

Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.

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Starting Salary: $33,790

Median Salary: $62,750

Employment: 2,950

Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach courses in childcare, family relations, finance, nutrition, and related subjects pertaining to home management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

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Starting Salary: $47,830

Median Salary: $75,870

Employment: 2,770

Fashion Designers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

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Starting Salary: $39,490

Median Salary: $80,960

Employment: 21,450

Film and Video Editors

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

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Starting Salary: $40,280

Median Salary: $75,420

Employment: 25,610

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

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Starting Salary: $31,630

Median Salary: $55,490

Employment: 11,220

Floral Designers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.

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Starting Salary: $28,600

Median Salary: $37,360

Employment: 40,590

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

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Starting Salary: $49,060

Median Salary: $79,350

Employment: 19,830

Fundraisers

Industries: Business and Financial Operations Occupations

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

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Starting Salary: $46,630

Median Salary: $72,550

Employment: 111,040

Fundraising Managers

Industries: Management Occupations

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

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Starting Salary: $75,130

Median Salary: $125,470

Employment: 38,810

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Industries: Business and Financial Operations Occupations

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

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Starting Salary: $48,220

Median Salary: $80,730

Employment: 417,070

Graphic Designers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

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Starting Salary: $39,520

Median Salary: $62,960

Employment: 197,830

Interpreters and Translators

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

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Starting Salary: $37,070

Median Salary: $60,170

Employment: 52,060

Library Assistants, Clerical

Industries: Office and Administrative Support Occupations

Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.

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Starting Salary: $27,730

Median Salary: $36,910

Employment: 85,520

Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach courses in library science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

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Starting Salary: $57,200

Median Salary: $80,340

Employment: 3,630

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Industries: Business and Financial Operations Occupations

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

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Starting Salary: $43,390

Median Salary: $78,760

Employment: 899,580

Marketing Managers

Industries: Management Occupations

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

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Starting Salary: $90,260

Median Salary: $166,790

Employment: 395,240

Mechanical Drafters

Industries: Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

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Starting Salary: $48,360

Median Salary: $71,550

Employment: 39,960

Media Programming Directors

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

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Starting Salary: $45,780

Median Salary: $90,360

Employment: 143,120

Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.

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Starting Salary: $30,760

Median Salary: $39,390

Employment: 165,220

Museum Technicians and Conservators

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

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Starting Salary: $33,780

Median Salary: $51,440

Employment: 12,310

Music Directors and Composers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

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Starting Salary: $39,880

Median Salary: $73,710

Employment: 12,540

Musicians and Singers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.

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Starting Salary: $42,328

Median Salary: $99,424

Employment: 36,180

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

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Starting Salary: $36,240

Median Salary: $62,200

Employment: 39,250

Photographers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

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Starting Salary: $30,820

Median Salary: $44,660

Employment: 51,760

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

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Starting Salary: $44,310

Median Salary: $76,910

Employment: 47,940

Producers and Directors

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

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Starting Salary: $45,780

Median Salary: $90,360

Employment: 143,120

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Industries: Office and Administrative Support Occupations

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

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Starting Salary: $34,510

Median Salary: $51,120

Employment: 4,580

Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers

Industries: Management Occupations

Plan, direct, or coordinate the selling, buying, leasing, or governance activities of commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties. Includes managers of homeowner and condominium associations, rented or leased housing units, buildings, or land (including rights-of-way).

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Starting Salary: $41,010

Median Salary: $69,990

Employment: 311,180

Public Relations Managers

Industries: Management Occupations

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

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Starting Salary: $82,410

Median Salary: $146,910

Employment: 74,850

Public Relations Specialists

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

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Starting Salary: $44,110

Median Salary: $74,750

Employment: 283,380

Purchasing Managers

Industries: Management Occupations

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

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Starting Salary: $92,490

Median Salary: $148,080

Employment: 84,320

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products

Industries: Sales and Related Occupations

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

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Starting Salary: $39,090

Median Salary: $72,080

Employment: 1,238,190

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

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Starting Salary: $48,780

Median Salary: $72,040

Employment: 1,065,210

Self-Enrichment Teachers

Industries: Education, Training, and Library Occupations

Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.

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Starting Salary: $30,050

Median Salary: $46,800

Employment: 332,110

Set and Exhibit Designers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

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Starting Salary: $41,750

Median Salary: $75,240

Employment: 10,630

Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors

Industries: Sales and Related Occupations

Contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.

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Starting Salary: $52,600

Median Salary: $104,920

Employment: 284,800

Sound Engineering Technicians

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

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Starting Salary: $37,570

Median Salary: $73,130

Employment: 13,080

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

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Starting Salary: $58,600

Median Salary: $102,030

Employment: 19,970

Technical Writers

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

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Starting Salary: $57,440

Median Salary: $90,390

Employment: 45,500

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.

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Starting Salary: $26,540

Median Salary: $40,710

Employment: 15,780

Urban and Regional Planners

Industries: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

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Starting Salary: $60,010

Median Salary: $89,320

Employment: 44,230

Web Administrators

Industries: Computer and Mathematical Occupations

Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities. Perform testing and quality assurance of web sites and web applications.

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Starting Salary: $55,940

Median Salary: $116,580

Employment: 435,370

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Industries: Computer and Mathematical Occupations

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

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Starting Salary: $53,750

Median Salary: $104,000

Employment: 113,330

Writers and Authors

Industries: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

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Starting Salary: $44,310

Median Salary: $76,910

Employment: 47,940

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