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Film Critic Salary in the United States
How much does a Film Critic make in the United States?
$50,766 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$1,376 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$51,497.76
Entry Level
$36,204
Median
$50,122
Senior Level
$57,598
As of July, 23, 2026, the average film critic gross salary in United States is $50,766 or an equivalent hourly rate of $24. In addition, film critics earn an average bonus of $1,376. An entry level film critic with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $36,204. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level film critic with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $57,598. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Film Critic
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Film Critic in the United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Film Critic will be $52,076 in 1 year and $57,663 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$53,420
Average Growth
5.2 %
The estimated salary for a Film Critic in 2 years is $53,420, which is 5.2 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Film Critic Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Film Critics.
- 0% of Film Critics have less than a High School Diploma
- 0% of Film Critics have a High School Diploma
- 0% of Film Critics have an Associate's Degree
- 100% of Film Critics have a Bachelor's Degree
- 0% of Film Critics have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Film Critics have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for a Film Critic is Broadcast Journalism.
See how education can impact your salaryPopular Skills for a Film Critic
Composes advertising
100%
These are the most popular skills for Film Critics. About 100% of Film Critics have a skill in Composes advertising.
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Where can a Film Critic earn more?
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Film Critic Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in the United States
Film Critic Jobs
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The cost of living in the United States is equal to the national average.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Film Critic do?
Writes detailed and thought-provoking reviews of movies and television shows for an online or print publication. Reviews all elements of the movie or show, voicing an opinion on the plot, script, acting, directing, and cinematography that urges an audience to watch or avoid a certain movie or tv show. Selects timely and intriguing movies or tv shows to review in order to gain public interest. Notes important features during the screening to discuss in the review. Incorporates societal and cultural discussion into writing when appropriate to comment on the relevance of the movie or tv show.
How much does a Film Critic make in the United States?
The average salary for a Film Critic is $50,766 per year or $24.41 per hour in the United States. Top earners have reported making up to $57,598. However, the typical pay range in the United States is between $36,204 and $57,598 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Film Critic?
Film Critic is projected to see a 13.6 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Film Critic salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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