Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and film in the U.S. is $74,990 ($36.05 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $74,990
- Mean annual wage
- $83,210
- Median hourly wage
- $36.05
- Employment
- 21,550
21,550 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 25th percentile | $50,920 | $24.48 |
| Median (50th) | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 75th percentile | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| 90th percentile | $135,180 | $64.99 |
Highest-paying states for camera operators, television, video, and film
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $106,900 | 4,700 |
| Illinois | $100,170 | 1,060 |
| District of Columbia | $98,300 | 240 |
| New York | $93,410 | 2,930 |
| Georgia | $85,050 | 570 |
| Alaska | $83,620 | 50 |
| Colorado | $74,990 | 300 |
| Utah | $73,450 | 240 |
| Arizona | $68,250 | 520 |
| Maryland | $65,870 | 290 |
Lowest-paying states
- Maine: $37,590 median annual wage
- West Virginia: $43,390 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $44,160 median annual wage
- Hawaii: $44,230 median annual wage
- New Hampshire: $45,880 median annual wage
About this occupation
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
Typical tasks
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
- Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
- Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
- Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
- Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.3% |
| Some college, no degree | 17.6% |
| Associate's degree | 8.4% |
| Bachelor's degree | 55.5% |
| Master's degree | 8.1% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 1.1% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Public Relations Specialists$74,750
- Coaches and Scouts$47,320
- Graphic Designers$62,960
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$39,390
- Producers and Directors$90,360
- Editors$77,920
- Interior Designers$67,190
- Audio and Video Technicians$58,100
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.