Research, produce, and direct documentary films and long-form video content. Median salary in Bethesda: $82K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Bethesda, Maryland. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Documentary Filmmakers in Bethesda earn approximately 26% higher than the US national median for this role — a $17,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Bethesda's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Adjusted for Bethesda's cost-of-living index (165), the median Documentary Filmmaker salary buys the equivalent of $49,697 in a US-average-cost city. That's $15,303 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.
Average 1-bedroom rent in Bethesda ($2,800/mo) consumes approximately 63% of an after-tax median Documentary Filmmaker salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($132K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $82K by 2030.
Enter your email for free access. We'll send salary market updates — unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
The median Documentary Filmmaker salary in Bethesda, MD is $82,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Bethesda–MD metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Documentary Filmmakers in Bethesda with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $53,000 and $82,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $82,000 to $132,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $132,000 to $220,000 or more.
Bethesda has a cost of living index of 165 compared to the US national average of 100. Bethesda's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Maryland has a 5.75% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in Film or Journalism; production portfolio. 40% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.