Research, produce, and direct documentary films and long-form video content. Median salary in Tempe: $70K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Tempe, Arizona. 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 Tempe earn approximately 8% higher than the US national median for this role — a $5,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Tempe's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Average 1-bedroom rent in Tempe ($1,700/mo) consumes approximately 43% 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 ($113K) 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 $70K by 2030.
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The median Documentary Filmmaker salary in Tempe, AZ is $70,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Tempe–AZ 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 Tempe with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $45,000 and $70,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $70,000 to $113,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $113,000 to $189,000 or more.
Tempe has a cost of living index of 108 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Tempe are close to the national average. Arizona has a 2.5% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in Film or Journalism; production portfolio. 40% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.