SOC 274031

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.

National Median

$68,810

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$68,810

Entry Level (10th pct)

$36,240

Experienced (90th pct)

$131,420

Total Employed

24,460

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$36,240 - $48,060
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$48,060 - $102,400
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$102,400 - $131,420

Highest Paying Locations for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

$103,930

+51.0% vs national

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

$102,310

+48.7% vs national

California

$101,610

+47.7% vs national

District of Columbia

$100,940

+46.7% vs national

Tucson, AZ

$99,510

+44.6% vs national

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$103,930	200
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$102,310	3,790
California	$101,610	5,520
District of Columbia	$100,940	310
Tucson, AZ	$99,510	100
Rochester, NY	$98,020	60
Jacksonville, FL	$96,950	100
Oregon	$93,610	290
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$89,960	3,170
New York	$89,960	3,510
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$88,760	760
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$85,610	80
New Jersey	$85,560	440
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$83,200	640
Illinois	$82,950	870
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$82,950	680
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$79,000	40
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$75,270	N/A
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$74,990	N/A
Arizona	$74,830	630
Colorado	$74,350	310
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$73,220	30
Virginia	$71,760	510
Columbus, OH	$70,720	80
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$70,290	160
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$70,190	70
St. Louis, MO-IL	$70,060	80
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$69,360	200
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$69,250	150
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$68,790	360
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$67,590	110
Maryland	$67,580	270
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$67,270	40
Ohio	$67,040	500
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$66,670	470
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$66,460	210
Springfield, MO	$64,950	30
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$64,430	530
Texas	$64,430	1,530
Connecticut	$63,950	230
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$63,250	200
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$62,900	620
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$62,820	220
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$62,400	90
North Carolina	$62,130	300
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$62,000	80
Springfield, MA	$61,770	30
Georgia	$61,500	340
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$61,100	340
Nevada	$61,020	410

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film?

The national median annual salary for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film is $68,810, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, with a median salary of $103,930.

How much can an experienced Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make?

Top-earning Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films (90th percentile) make $131,420 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.