Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary
The median camera operators, television, video, and film salary in the United States is $74,990 per year ($36.05/hour). Salaries range from $38,520 at the entry level to $135,180+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 21,550 camera operators, television, video, and film jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 1.2% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$74,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.05
per hour
Employment
21,550
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$38,520
25th percentile
$50,920
Median
$74,990
75th percentile
$106,660
90th percentile
$135,180
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+1.2%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
2,900
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$38K$107K■ No data
Top Paying States
California
$107K
+43%
Illinois
$100K
+34%
District of Columbia
$98K
+31%
New York
$93K
+25%
Georgia
$85K
+13%
Alaska
$84K
+12%
Colorado
$75K
+0%
Utah
$73K
-2%
Arizona
$68K
-9%
Maryland
$66K
-12%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $106,900 | +42.6% |
| Illinois | $100,170 | +33.6% |
| District of Columbia | $98,300 | +31.1% |
| New York | $93,410 | +24.6% |
| Georgia | $85,050 | +13.4% |
| Alaska | $83,620 | +11.5% |
| Colorado | $74,990 | +0.0% |
| Utah | $73,450 | -2.1% |
| Arizona | $68,250 | -9.0% |
| Maryland | $65,870 | -12.2% |
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Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,620 | +43.5% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,370 | +36.5% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,500 | +31.4% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $93,410 | +24.6% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $84,870 | +13.2% |
| Anchorage, AK | $83,620 | +11.5% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $83,320 | +11.1% |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $80,380 | +7.2% |
| Fresno, CA | $80,030 | +6.7% |
| Rochester, NY | $76,700 | +2.3% |
Showing 1–10 of 72
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A camera operators, television, video, and film earning $74,990/year would need 795 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 853 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how camera operators, television, video, and film salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary trend (2011–2024) →