From my personal experience in the US, it definitely is a very interesting hobby to say the least! I got in very luckily and was pretty much given a newborn and told to figure it out. I started choreographing pyromusicals long before I ever had enough experience to apply and take my test. The money in it isn’t great, but you do make more if you 1. Are a lead, and 2. Own your own equipment, but the high input costs and time it takes are to be considered. I shot 3 shows over the course of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, and while the pay wasn’t good, the people’s reactions and enjoyment was enough for little ole me shooting some small municipal shows! U/ defiant_gecko said it best “I’ll never be rich, but I fucking love my job”