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Full Time Film Colorist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Full Time Film Colorist information

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$32K

$50K

$71K

How much do full time film colorist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time film colorist in the United States is $50,010.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,500.00 and $61,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a full time film colorist do?

A Full Time Film Colorist is responsible for adjusting and enhancing the color of film footage during post-production. They work closely with directors and cinematographers to achieve the desired visual look and mood for a film or video project. Colorists use specialized software to balance color, correct exposure, and add creative color grading that supports the storytelling. Their expertise can make scenes more visually appealing and consistent, helping to convey the intended atmosphere and emotion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time film colorist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Film Colorist, you need expertise in color theory, image processing, and post-production workflows, often supported by formal education or experience in film or visual arts. Proficiency with industry-standard software like DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, and calibration tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, creative vision, and collaboration skills help a colorist interpret the director’s intent and work effectively with other post-production professionals. These abilities are crucial for delivering visually compelling, consistent, and high-quality final films that meet creative and technical standards.

What are some common challenges a full time film colorist might face when working on feature film projects?

A Full Time Film Colorist often encounters challenges such as managing tight post-production deadlines, collaborating with directors and cinematographers to achieve a cohesive visual style, and addressing inconsistencies in footage due to varying lighting conditions or camera settings. Additionally, adapting to evolving client feedback and balancing creative vision with technical constraints requires strong communication and problem-solving skills. Working as part of a larger post-production team, colorists must also stay updated on the latest color grading software and workflows to ensure high-quality results.

What is the difference between Full Time Film Colorist vs Full Time Video Editor?

AspectFull Time Film ColoristFull Time Video Editor
CredentialsOften requires knowledge of color grading software and industry experienceRequires editing software proficiency and storytelling skills
Work EnvironmentPost-production studios, film sets, or editing suitesPost-production facilities, media companies, or freelance
Industry UsagePrimarily in film, television, and commercial productionUsed across film, TV, online content, and corporate videos

While both roles are vital in post-production, a Full Time Film Colorist specializes in color grading to enhance visual aesthetics, whereas a Full Time Video Editor focuses on assembling footage to tell a story. Understanding these differences helps employers and professionals choose the right candidate or career path.

How much do full time film colorists get paid?

Full-time film colorists typically earn between $50,000 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 in major markets or high-end production companies.

What is the easiest job to get in the film industry?

Entry-level roles such as production assistants or intern positions are generally the easiest to obtain in the film industry, often requiring minimal experience and offering opportunities to learn on the job. For a film colorist, starting as a trainee or assistant colorist can be a straightforward entry point, especially if you have basic knowledge of color grading software like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere.
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Cities with the most Full Time Film Colorist job openings:

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

The most popular types of Film Colorist jobs are:

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

The top searched job categories for Full Time Film Colorist jobs are:

Infographic showing various Full Time 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 $50,010 per year, or $24 per hour.

DreamWorks Feature - Digital Colorist

Glendale, CA • On-site


NBCUniversal

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 133 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 78 rated media

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$164K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


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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