CDCareer Decision

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary in Santa Maria, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in Santa Maria, CA have a median annual salary of $71,390, with 50 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $35,380 at the 10th percentile to $135,100 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$71,390

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$34.32

Employment

50

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$35,380
10th
$53,790
25th
$71,390
Median
$92,710
75th
$135,100
90th

Local compared with national

Santa Maria, CA

$71,390

Median annual · 2025

United States

$74,990

Median annual · 2025

The Santa Maria, CA median is 4.8% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $3,600).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  2. 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.3
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 3.3
  4. 4.CoordinationImportance 3.3
  5. 5.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.1
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Time ManagementImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.WritingImportance 2.9
  12. 12.Active LearningImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Experience
None
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Apple Final Cut Studio
  • Avid Technology audio visual editing software
  • DaVinci Resolve
  • Email software
  • Google Drive
  • Litchi

Common 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.
  • Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
  • Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in other locations

Other occupations in Santa Maria, CA