Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
National median · BLS
$74,990
▲ +8.98%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$83,210
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
21,550
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$38,520
25th
$50,920
Median (50th)
$74,990
75th
$106,660
90th — top pay
$135,180
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
BLS projects employment of camera operators, television, video, and film to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 2,500 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
32,600 → 33,000
+400 jobs
Projected change
+1.3%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
2,500
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
No related experience required
Self-employed
34.7% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What 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 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.
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.
Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
Also called
Camera OperatorCameramanTelevision News PhotographerVideographerMaster Control Operator (MCO)News VideographerProduction TechnicianStudio Camera Operator
More job titles for this occupation (61)
Advanced Air Mobility Operator (AAM Operator)Advanced Air Mobility Pilot (AAM Pilot)Advanced Air Mobility Technician (AAM Technician)Aerial Camera OperatorAnimation Camera OperatorCamera EngineerCamera PersonCinematographerCommercial Drone OperatorCommercial Drone PilotCreative SpecialistDrone Camera OperatorDrone OperatorDrone PilotElectronic News Gathering Camera Operator (ENG Camera Operator)Event VideographerFilmmakerLegal VideographerMotion DesignerMotion Picture Camera OperatorMotion Picture CameramanMotion Picture PhotographerMovie Shot Camera OperatorMovie Shot CameramanNews Camera OperatorNews Camera PersonNews Reel CameramanOperations TechnicianOptical Effects Camera OperatorRemote Camera OperatorRemote PilotRemotely Piloted Aircraft Camera Operator (RPA Camera Operator)Remotely Piloted Aircraft Controller (RPA Controller)Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator (RPA Operator)Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot (RPA Pilot)Remotely Piloted Aircraft Technician (RPA Technician)Sensor OperatorSports VideographerStudio TechnicianTelevision Camera OperatorTelevision CameramanUnmanned Aerial Camera OperatorUnmanned Aerial Systems Operator (UAS Operator)Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot (UAS Pilot)Unmanned Aerial Systems Technician (UAS Technician)Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Operator (UAV Operator)Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Pilot (UAV Pilot)Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Technician (UAV Technician)Unmanned Aircraft Operator (UA Operator)Unmanned Aircraft Pilot (UA Pilot)Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator (UAS Operator)Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UAS Pilot)Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technician (UAS Technician)Unmanned Aircraft Technician (UA Technician)Urban Air Mobility Operator (UAM Operator)Urban Air Mobility Pilot (UAM Pilot)Urban Air Mobility Technician (UAM Technician)Video Camera OperatorVideo CoordinatorVideo OperatorVideo Specialist
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $74,990.
