Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
Also called: Camera Operator · Cameraman · Master Control Operator (MCO) · News Videographer · Production Technician · Studio Camera Operator
Median pay (national)
$68,810
$36,240–$131,420 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
24,460
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+1.2%
~2,900 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for camera operators, television, video, and film shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $131,420 versus $36,240 at the bottom 10% — 3.6x. The median of $68,810 leaves roughly 91% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +1.2% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 2,900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 47 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $101,610, +48% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $32,510 — a 213% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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 zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
- Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
- Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
- Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
- 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.
- Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
- Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
Tools & technology
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- TikTok
- Video editing software
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Apple Final Cut Studio
- Avid Technology audio visual editing software
- DaVinci Resolve
- Google Drive
- Litchi
- Pix4D Pix4Dcapture
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Communications and Media
- Telecommunications
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Mathematics