The films of Er-doped ZnO (ZnO:Er) were prepared onto MgO wafers by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis at $550^{circ}C$. The concentration of Er in the deposition source varied from 0.5 wt% to 3.0 wt%. The crystallographic properties and surface morphologies of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The properties of photoluminescence (PL) for the films were investigated by dependence of PL spectra on the Er concentration in the films. The films were grown as polycrystalline with a dominant direction of [002]. The grain size of the films were reduced by Er-doping. Er-doping enhanced the ultraviolet emission of ZnO:Er films. The ZnO:Er films prepared with the deposition source of 2.0 wt% Er showed the strongest ultraviolet light emission peak among the films in this study.