Motion Picture Projectionists Salary
The median pay for a motion picture projectionists in Washington is $39,070/year ($18.78/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $60K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $38,300 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 65.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Washington. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $39K get you in Washington?
About motion picture projectionists
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What this looks like in Washington
Motion picture projectionists pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $39K locally vs. $38K nationwide, a 2% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 65.7% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level motion picture projectionists (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K. Top earners bring in $60K or more, a $25K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track motion picture projectionists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a motion picture projectionist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $39K, rent takes 65.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for motion picture projectionists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new motion picture projectionists typically earn — is $35K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,080/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 88% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is motion picture projectionist a high-paying job in Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $39K locally vs. $38K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for motion picture projectionists?
Washington pays $39K median vs. the U.S. average of $38K — that’s +2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $38K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do motion picture projectionists make in Washington?
The median is $39,070 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,670, and experienced motion picture projectionists can clear $59,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,786/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 65.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a motion picture projectionists salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median motion picture projectionists salary is worth about $38,300 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do motion picture projectionists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.