How To Become A Double: What It Is and Career Path

What is a double and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

A double stands in for an actor or actress in a film or television production. Doubles may perform stunts or actions that the main actor may not feel comfortable with. They may also portray the backside of an actor in some scenes. Doubles must have a similar physical appearance to the actor they are doubling for and work to mimic their mannerisms. This profession requires physical fitness and the ability to work under pressure.

ScoreDoubleUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $51,745

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

4.1

Growth Rate 8%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 6.53%

Black or African American 15.16%

Hispanic or Latino 14.10%

Unknown 6.40%

White 57.60%

Gender

female 49.73%

male 50.27%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress Level

4.1

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.8

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Double?

Pros

Higher pay due to longer hours
Opportunity to work with a partner
Learning from a more experienced partner
Encouragement and motivation from a partner
Better communication and coordination during emergencies

Cons

Differences in work ethics and standards with a partner
Inability to take time off without affecting the partner's schedule
Unequal distribution of workload with a partner
Limited opportunities for individual decision-making and problem-solving
Increased social pressure to conform to the partner's behavior or beliefs

Key steps to become a double

Explore double education requirements

Most common double degrees

High School Diploma

35.8 %

Bachelor's

25.4 %

Associate

14.9 %

Start to develop specific double skills

Skills	Percentages
Fifo	100.00%

Complete relevant double training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New doubles learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a double based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real double resumes.

Research double duties and responsibilities

Operate the double backer machine that produces rolls of paper into cardboard according to customer specifications.
Simulate the scenario in Matlab.
Create corrugated boxes for customers and run the corrugating machine (wet side).
Monitor the flow of gas, oil, and water during drill out on work over rig or coil tubing truck.

Apply for double jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a double job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do doubles rate their job?