prop maker
Prop makers construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain props used on stage and for filming movies or television programs. Props may be simple imitations of real life objects, or may include electronic, pyrotechnical, or other effects. Their work is based on artistic vision, sketches and plans. They work in close cooperation with the designers involved in the production.
prop maker prop makers construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain props used on stage and for filming movies or television programs. Props may be simple imitations of real life objects, or may include electronic, pyrotechnical, or other effects. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, follow work schedule, adapt props, build devices into props.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £45,534 a year for Arts officers, producers and directors (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3416). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only prop maker, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Frequently asked questions
What does prop maker do?
Prop makers construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain props used on stage and for filming movies or television programs. Props may be simple imitations of real life objects, or may include electronic, pyrotechnical, or other effects. Their work is based on artistic vision, sketches and plans. They work in close cooperation with the designers involved in the production.
What skills does prop maker need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, follow work schedule, adapt props, build devices into props, develop prop effects. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace prop maker?
Our AI-durability model gives prop maker a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.