Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film earn a median $74,990 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What camera operators, television, video, and film do
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.3% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,500
- Self-employed
- 35%
Employment of camera operators, television, video, and film is projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,668
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,649
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,087
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$61,585
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,520 | $18.52 | $33,131 |
| 25th percentile | $50,920 | $24.48 | $43,094 |
| Median (50th) | $74,990 | $36.05 | $61,585 |
| 75th percentile | $106,660 | $51.28 | $83,865 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,180 | $64.99 | $103,662 |
Best cities for camera operators, television, video, and film (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $107,620 | $77,363 | $68,121 | 3,540 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $93,410 | $70,073 | $62,252 | 3,000 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $107,620
- New York, NY — $93,410
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $106,900 | +5.2% | $76,932 | $53,910 – $154,240 | 4,700 |
| Illinois | $100,170 | +20.8% | $74,486 | $38,840 – $133,940 | 1,060 |
| District of Columbia | $98,300 | −2.6% | $72,597 | $62,450 – $134,450 | 240 |
| New York | $93,410 | +3.8% | $70,073 | $56,710 – $133,410 | 2,930 |
| Georgia | $85,050 | +38.3% | $64,871 | $36,250 – $159,090 | 570 |
| Alaska | $83,620 | — | $67,657 | $43,140 – $83,630 | 50 |
| Colorado | $74,990 | +0.9% | $58,994 | $47,900 – $122,170 | 300 |
| Utah | $73,450 | +57.6% | $58,163 | $39,940 – $105,270 | 240 |
| Arizona | $68,250 | −8.8% | $55,346 | $38,520 – $162,960 | 520 |
| Maryland | $65,870 | −2.5% | $52,341 | $44,900 – $97,800 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $65,630 | +2.6% | $52,879 | $37,000 – $89,900 | 170 |
| Ohio | $64,860 | −3.3% | $53,294 | $43,080 – $104,830 | 520 |
| Texas | $63,110 | −2.0% | $52,889 | $32,360 – $111,990 | 1,100 |
| North Carolina | $62,720 | +0.9% | $50,582 | $43,040 – $85,710 | 380 |
| Florida | $62,220 | +2.0% | $52,174 | $32,230 – $132,320 | 970 |
| Nevada | $62,110 | +1.8% | $52,085 | $33,160 – $99,560 | 320 |
| Alabama | $61,800 | +36.8% | $49,011 | $41,190 – $69,630 | 220 |
| Massachusetts | $61,320 | +23.5% | $48,605 | $31,300 – $133,760 | 370 |
| Kansas | $60,690 | +30.5% | $48,358 | $36,270 – $90,820 | 110 |
| Washington | $60,250 | +13.0% | $50,591 | $37,780 – $130,410 | 440 |
| Louisiana | $58,440 | −0.7% | $47,770 | $38,590 – $95,990 | 270 |
| Virginia | $58,440 | −18.6% | $46,590 | $41,710 – $98,870 | 420 |
| Idaho | $58,140 | +2.2% | $46,922 | $33,540 – $98,770 | 120 |
| South Carolina | $57,940 | −2.9% | $46,415 | $40,740 – $76,110 | 40 |
| Iowa | $57,220 | +18.9% | $46,634 | $36,700 – $81,180 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $57,030 | +0.9% | $48,004 | $40,440 – $131,050 | 460 |
| Indiana | $56,810 | +0.0% | $46,180 | $34,640 – $76,540 | 200 |
| Michigan | $55,290 | +0.7% | $44,506 | $38,280 – $81,030 | 380 |
| Kentucky | $53,790 | +16.7% | $43,635 | $43,420 – $70,480 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $53,650 | +10.7% | $45,288 | $38,130 – $84,990 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $52,810 | +12.2% | $43,070 | $32,280 – $85,320 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,760 | +1.8% | $42,180 | $21,580 – $95,910 | 670 |
| Minnesota | $51,420 | −6.7% | $41,523 | $34,320 – $115,420 | 300 |
| Montana | $50,910 | +45.1% | $41,450 | $26,100 – $65,620 | 110 |
| Mississippi | $49,920 | −10.6% | $41,026 | $31,540 – $79,170 | 60 |
| Rhode Island | $49,790 | — | $40,936 | $42,290 – $76,500 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $49,050 | +5.7% | $40,450 | $38,730 – $101,160 | 290 |
| Arkansas | $48,680 | +49.7% | $39,609 | $30,070 – $93,090 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $48,620 | +7.3% | $39,604 | $34,830 – $103,440 | 220 |
| Vermont | $46,350 | −4.1% | $38,303 | $36,810 – $119,660 | 130 |
| Nebraska | $46,180 | +18.2% | $38,064 | $28,080 – $65,120 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $45,880 | −5.9% | $39,045 | $33,180 – $70,850 | — |
| Hawaii | $44,230 | +5.7% | $35,850 | $30,880 – $76,600 | 90 |
| South Dakota | $44,160 | +11.9% | $37,663 | $28,880 – $77,180 | 50 |
| West Virginia | $43,390 | +9.9% | $35,817 | $28,330 – $67,790 | 60 |
| Maine | $37,590 | +4.3% | $30,995 | $32,810 – $154,230 | 70 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Editor | $75,420 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -3.1% |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.6% |
| Lighting Technician | $68,060 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.8% |
| Broadcast Technician | $59,570 | Associate's degree | -3.1% |
| Audio and Video Technician | $58,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.9% |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | Bachelor's degree | +1.8% |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $75,240 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% |
| Music Director and Composer | $73,710 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a camera operators, television, video, and film make?
The national median salary for camera operators, television, video, and film is $74,990 a year ($36.05 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,520 and the top 10% earn over $135,180. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays camera operators, television, video, and film the most?
California has the highest median pay at $106,900. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many camera operators, television, video, and film are there in the U.S.?
About 21,550 people work as camera operators, television, video, and film nationwide.