Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · 22K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$74,990
Median hourly
$36
Average annual
$83,210
Typical range
$38,520–$135,180
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film is $74,990 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $36 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions..
Most earn between $38,520 and $135,180 a year. There are roughly 22K people employed as camera operators, television, video, and film in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film.
- Hourly
- $36.05
- Daily
- $288
- Weekly
- $1,442
- Bi-weekly
- $2,884
- Monthly
- $6,249
- Annual
- $74,990
$74,990 a year is around the 50th percentile for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films. The median is $74,990.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1California$106,900
- 2Illinois$100,170
- 3District of Columbia$98,300
- 4New York$93,410
- 5Georgia$85,050
- 6Alaska$83,620
- 7Colorado$74,990
- 8Utah$73,450
- 9Arizona$68,250
- 10Maryland$65,870
- 11Connecticut$65,630
- 12Ohio$64,860
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$107,620
- 2Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$102,370
- 3San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$98,500
- 4New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$93,410
- 5Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$84,870
- 6Anchorage, AK$83,620
- 7Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$83,320
- 8Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$80,380
- 9Fresno, CA$80,030
- 10Rochester, NY$76,700
- 11Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$76,250
- 12Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$74,990
Related job titles
Employers advertise Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film roles under these titles.
- Aerial Camera Operator
- Animation Camera Operator
- Camera Engineer
- Camera Operator
- Camera Person
- Cameraman
- Cinematographer
- Drone Camera Operator
- Event Videographer
- Legal Videographer
- Master Control Operator (MCO)
- Motion Designer
- Motion Picture Camera Operator
- Motion Picture Cameraman
- Motion Picture Photographer
- Movie Shot Camera Operator
Related occupations
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$73,900
- Audio and Video Technicians$58,100
- Broadcast Technicians$59,570
- Producers and Directors$90,360
- Avionics Technicians$82,280
- Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers$52,720
- Sound Engineering Technicians$73,130
- Lighting Technicians$68,060
What a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film does
- Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
- Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
- Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
- Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
- Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
- Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make?
- The median annual wage for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film is $74,990 ($36 per hour). Pay ranges from about $38,520 at the 10th percentile to $135,180 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $83,210, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films the most?
- California has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $106,900.
- Is Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 22K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film do?
- Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.; Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.; Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements..