Careers / Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$74,990
United States, 2025
Employment
21,550
United States, 2025
Typical education
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Job Zone 3
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
- O*NET code
- 27-4031.00
- Job zone
- 3
- Experience required
- None
Typical tasks
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
- Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$38,520
25th percentile
$50,920
75th percentile
$106,660
90th percentile
$135,180
Most important skills
- Active Listening3.8
- Coordination3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Speaking3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Monitoring3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Operation and Control2.9
- Operations Monitoring2.9
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 10 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
10
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.8 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.3 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.3 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Camera Operators, Television, Video, and FilmHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $107,620 | 3,540 | 2025 |
| CA | $106,900 | 4,700 | 2025 |
| Chicago, IL | $102,370 | 740 | 2025 |
| IL | $100,170 | 1,060 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $98,500 | 280 | 2025 |
| DC | $98,300 | 240 | 2025 |
| NY | $93,410 | 2,930 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $93,410 | 3,000 | 2025 |
| GA | $85,050 | 570 | 2025 |
| Sacramento, CA | $84,870 | 50 | 2025 |
| AK | $83,620 | 50 | 2025 |
| Anchorage, AK | $83,620 | 40 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $83,320 | 500 | 2025 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $80,380 | 190 | 2025 |
| Fresno, CA | $80,030 | 40 | 2025 |
| Rochester, NY | $76,700 | 50 | 2025 |
| Atlanta, GA | $76,250 | 360 | 2025 |
| Denver, CO | $74,990 | 220 | 2025 |
| CO | $74,990 | 300 | 2025 |
| Austin, TX | $74,710 | 210 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.