Documentary Filmmaker Salary
in Chattanooga, TN
Research, produce, and direct documentary films and long-form video content. Median salary in Chattanooga: $57K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Salary range in Chattanooga
Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Key facts for Chattanooga
Salary forecast: Chattanooga Documentary Filmmaker to 2030
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $57K by 2030.
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Documentary Filmmaker Salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee: Complete Guide (2026)
The median Documentary Filmmaker salary in Chattanooga, TN is $57,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Chattanooga–TN 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.
Salary range for Documentary Filmmaker in Chattanooga
Entry-level Documentary Filmmakers in Chattanooga with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $37,000 and $57,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $57,000 to $92,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $92,000 to $154,000 or more.
Cost of living in Chattanooga for Documentary Filmmakers
Chattanooga has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Chattanooga than the national average. Crucially, Tennessee has no state income tax — giving Chattanooga-based Documentary Filmmakers an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).
Education requirements for Documentary Filmmaker
Bachelor's in Film or Journalism; production portfolio. 40% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.