How much do Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make?
The median pay for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in the United States is $74,990 per year — about $36.05 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $38,520, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $135,180.
That is $13,600 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary range by percentile
Half of all Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film earn between $50,920 and $106,660 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,520 | $18.52 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,920 | $24.48 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,990 | $36.05 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $106,660 | $51.28 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,180 | $64.99 |
Highest-paying states for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film pay at $106,900 a year, followed by Illinois ($100,170) and District of Columbia ($98,300). At the other end, Maine posts the lowest median at $37,590 — a gap of $69,310 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $106,900 | $51.39 | +43% |
| 2 | Illinois | $100,170 | $48.16 | +34% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $98,300 | $47.26 | +31% |
| 4 | New York | $93,410 | $44.91 | +25% |
| 5 | Georgia | $85,050 | $40.89 | +13% |
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 46 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 22,000 people work as Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $83,210 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other arts & media roles with similar pay.