California Median
$106,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+43% vs US median
US median $74,990
State Rank
#1 of 46
4,700 employed here
How much do Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make in California?
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film working in California earn a median salary of $106,900 per year, or about $51.39 per hour. That is 43% above the national median of $74,990 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $53,910 while the top 10% make $154,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,060 and $130,960 a year.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,910 | $25.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $76,060 | $36.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $106,900 | $51.39 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $130,960 | $62.96 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,240 | $74.15 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 46 states and territories for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in other states
Illinois $100,170District of Columbia $98,300New York $93,410Georgia $85,050Alaska $83,620Colorado $74,990Utah $73,450Arizona $68,250Maryland $65,870Connecticut $65,630Ohio $64,860Texas $63,110North Carolina $62,720Florida $62,220Nevada $62,110Alabama $61,800Massachusetts $61,320Kansas $60,690Washington $60,250Louisiana $58,440Virginia $58,440Idaho $58,140South Carolina $57,940Iowa $57,220Tennessee $57,030Indiana $56,810Michigan $55,290Kentucky $53,790North Dakota $53,650Wisconsin $52,810Pennsylvania $51,760Minnesota $51,420Montana $50,910Mississippi $49,920Rhode Island $49,790New Mexico $49,050Arkansas $48,680Oklahoma $48,620Vermont $46,350Nebraska $46,180New Hampshire $45,880Hawaii $44,230South Dakota $44,160West Virginia $43,390Maine $37,590
Working as Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in California
Nationally, about 22,000 people work as Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($106,900) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make in California?
The median Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in California is $106,900 per year, or about $51.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $53,910 at the entry level to $154,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film about 43% more than the national median of $74,990. California ranks 1st out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $106,900 a year. About 4,700 Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.