The shortage of qualified candidates has left theaters fighting for recruits.

Li Hui, assistant general manager of Omnijoi International Cinema in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, said: "I receive many calls inviting me to join other theaters. It's not unusual in our line of work."

Li began working in theaters in 2005 and has held different positions, such as waitress, ticket clerk and snack saleswoman.

Wang Guangmin, director of human resources and administration at Beijing Megabox Zhongguan Cineplex Co, which owns and operates two theaters in the city, said, "Qualified theater management candidates have a wide range of options when seeking job offers.”

The competition for managers has led to a high turnover rate.

Some candidates seek higher positions and higher pay, but once they are hired, sometimes their skills are insufficient for their added responsibilities, said Li Yunling, training director of operations at a theater owned by Hainan Airlines Co Ltd.

"Those people just use their previous work experience as a bargaining chip for higher positions and better pay,"Li added.

Liu from EntGroup said the turnover rate in the theater business is high because of strong market demand yet low wages, especially in second- and third-tier cities.

Some managers leave for other theaters, while some leave the industry entirely, Liu said.

Yin Gang, president of Cine Asia (Shanghai) Ltd, a theater solutions and services consultancy, said, "Competition for competent theater managers results in higher operation costs, which is undoubtedly detrimental.”