Film & Television
California remains the historic center of U.S. screen production while competing with other production hubs.
Motion picture and video industry jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 5121, annual average (FRED SMU06000005051210001SA).
| Indicator | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Industry positionLAO | Largest U.S. production hub | Multiple competing hubs |
- •California created its film and television tax credit in 2009 as production increasingly moved to competing jurisdictions (Legislative Analyst's Office).
- •The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes were the first simultaneous strikes by both unions in 63 years and sharply reduced California production (LAO).
- •California's creative economy spans entertainment, architecture, fashion, fine arts and digital media—not only Hollywood (Otis College).
Creative Economy
California's arts and cultural production contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to state output.
Information sector jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, publishing, media, telecom and data (FRED SMS06000005000000001).
| Indicator | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and culture GDPBEA, 2022 approximate | $290,000 million | $1,020,000 million |
- •California created its film and television tax credit in 2009 as production increasingly moved to competing jurisdictions (Legislative Analyst's Office).
- •The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes were the first simultaneous strikes by both unions in 63 years and sharply reduced California production (LAO).
- •California's creative economy spans entertainment, architecture, fashion, fine arts and digital media—not only Hollywood (Otis College).
Film Tax Credit
California uses a capped tax credit to retain film and television production.
| Indicator | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual credit capLAO, 2025 | $330 million | Programs vary by state |
- •California created its film and television tax credit in 2009 as production increasingly moved to competing jurisdictions (Legislative Analyst's Office).
- •The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes were the first simultaneous strikes by both unions in 63 years and sharply reduced California production (LAO).
- •California's creative economy spans entertainment, architecture, fashion, fine arts and digital media—not only Hollywood (Otis College).
Museums & Heritage
California supports a broad network of museums, cultural institutions and globally recognized heritage places.
Museum, historical site, zoo and park jobs
2014–2025BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, private ownership, annual average, NAICS 712.
Museums, historical sites, zoos and parks
2014–2025BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, private ownership, annual average, NAICS 712.
| Indicator | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage sitesUNESCO list | 3 | 26 nationwide |
- •California created its film and television tax credit in 2009 as production increasingly moved to competing jurisdictions (Legislative Analyst's Office).
- •The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes were the first simultaneous strikes by both unions in 63 years and sharply reduced California production (LAO).
- •California's creative economy spans entertainment, architecture, fashion, fine arts and digital media—not only Hollywood (Otis College).
Video Games
California is a major center for U.S. game development, publishing and interactive entertainment.
Software publishers employment (includes video games)
2014–2025BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, California, private ownership, annual average. Software publishers (NAICS 511210 to 2021, 513210 from 2022), the industry that includes video game publishers; not limited to games.
Software publishers average annual pay
2014–2025BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, California, private ownership, annual average. Software publishers (NAICS 511210 to 2021, 513210 from 2022), the industry that includes video game publishers; not limited to games.
| Indicator | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Game-development ecosystemIndustry estimate | Largest U.S. cluster | Distributed nationally |
- •California created its film and television tax credit in 2009 as production increasingly moved to competing jurisdictions (Legislative Analyst's Office).
- •The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes were the first simultaneous strikes by both unions in 63 years and sharply reduced California production (LAO).
- •California's creative economy spans entertainment, architecture, fashion, fine arts and digital media—not only Hollywood (Otis College).