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Film Colorist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Visual Quality Expert (Film, VFX & Animation) Type: Contract Compensation: $60-$90/hour Location ... VFX Supervisor , Rendering Supervisor , Lighting Supervisor , Colorist , Director of Photography ...

Visual Quality Expert (Film, VFX & Animation) Type: Contract Compensation: $60-$90/hour Location ... Visual Effects (VFX) Supervisor , Rendering Supervisor , Lighting Supervisor , Colorist , Director ...

Film Colorist information

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$11

$23

$38

How much do film colorist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for film colorist in the United States is $23.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $31.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a film colorist do?

A Film Colorist is responsible for adjusting the color and tone of a film to create a specific look or mood. They work closely with the director and cinematographer to enhance visual storytelling by correcting color imbalances, ensuring consistency, and applying creative color grading. Using specialized software like DaVinci Resolve, they refine the final appearance of a film, commercial, or television show. Their work ensures that the visual aesthetic aligns with the director’s artistic vision while maintaining technical accuracy.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a film colorist?

To thrive as a Film Colorist, you need a keen artistic eye for color, strong technical knowledge of color grading, and experience in post-production workflows, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Proficiency in industry-standard color grading software such as DaVinci Resolve, Baselight, or Adobe Premiere Pro is crucial, and certifications in these tools can be advantageous. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with directors and cinematographers are valuable soft skills. These abilities ensure the visual consistency and emotional tone of films, contributing significantly to the final cinematic experience.

How much do film colorists get paid?

Film colorists typically earn between $40,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior colorists with extensive portfolios and advanced skills can earn higher salaries, especially when working on high-profile productions or in major markets.

How to become a film colorist?

To become a film colorist, one typically needs a strong understanding of color theory, proficiency in color grading software such as DaVinci Resolve or Baselight, and a background in film or video production. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles and building a portfolio of work are important steps in establishing a career in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Film Colorist jobs?

The most popular types of Film Colorist jobs are:

What states have the most Film Colorist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Film Colorist jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Film Colorist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Film Colorist jobs are:

Infographic showing various Film Colorist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,641 per year, or $23.4 per hour.

DreamWorks Feature - Digital Colorist

NBCUniversal

Glendale, CA • On-site

$164K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


NBCUniversal rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 133 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 78 rated media


Job description

Company Description

DreamWorks Animation is looking for more adventurous dreamers who shoot for the moon. We tell stories about the journeys our unconventional heroes take to make dreams come true. As a growth-minded studio, we pride ourselves on being one of the world's leading producers of high-quality, award-winning, animated films and series, reaching consumers around the globe. We push to feel more, laugh more, and build immersive new worlds.

DreamWorks creates a diverse array of original content in a variety of formats, delivering compelling stories with unique characters. We place tremendous value on the experiences our talent brings to the table from their own non-traditional paths to success. We believe in frequent communication and that transparency and trust yield the best work. We are a community of artists, technologists, innovators, and creators, who are passionate about animation and also happen to love eating lunch together. 

The Digital Colorist works with the Supervising Colorist, VFX Supervisor, Directors and Producers to refine the color of the film. This role reports to the Supervising Colorist and will run grading sessions independently and collaborate closely with filmmakers. Working onsite in Glendale, you will be responsible for delivering final color for feature animation titles across all distribution formats.

If you are part of the fandom and believe teamwork makes the dream work, join us in #livingthedream and #doingyourdreamwork!

Job Description

Responsibilities: "What would you say you do here?"

  • Responsible for delivering a final, filmmaker-approved color correct version of the movie for all required versions, including theatrical digital cinema and home video masters.

  • Running live grading sessions for theatrical SDR and HDR home entertainment deliverables.

  • Manage color (ACES) workflows, color correction using embedded di-matte channels,  shot tracking, key framing, and setting up renders for final deliverables. 

  • Partner with the Color Finishing Production Supervisor to ensure all post production deadlines and deliverables are being met on schedule.

  • Contribute to staffing and scheduling planning to ensure department resources align with production needs.

  • Maintain high creative and technical standards while having the ability to work under tight deadlines while maintaining high quality. 

  • Rendering and QC'ing of all final deliverables.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: "What do I need to have in order to do this job?"

  • 2+ years of  feature production experience as a colorist with proficiency in  BaseLight (v6 or later) color grading system.

  • Experience grading feature animation titles.

  • Deep expertise in ACES workflows, color spaces, and advanced grading techniques.

  • Extensive experience working with mattes, renders, and complex shot matching.

  • Comprehensive knowledge of HDR formats (Dolby Vision, HDR10) and delivery standards for both HDR and SDR mastering.

  • Expertise in all major deliverables.

  • Knowledge of SDR and HDR theatrical deliverables.

  • Proficiency with industry-leading grading platform (Baselight).

  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.

  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced production environment while maintaining exceptional quality.

Desired Qualifications: "What can I offer?"

  • Bachelor's degree preferred

Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed full-time from a DreamWorks-designated worksite.
Salary Range: $164,168 - $195,000

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].


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