How much does a camera operator make?
The median camera operator in the United States earns $74,990 per year, about $36.05 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all camera operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-4031.
Camera operator salary range
Pay for camera operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,520 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $135,180. The average (mean) wage of $83,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,520 | $18.52 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,920 | $24.48 | |
| Median (50th) | $74,990 | $36.05 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $106,660 | $51.28 | |
| 90th percentile | $135,180 | $64.99 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for camera operators, television, video, and film (SOC 27-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Camera operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Camera operators earn the most in California at $106,900 a year, and the least in Maine at $37,590. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $106,900 | 4,700 |
| Illinois | $100,170 | 1,060 |
| District of Columbia | $98,300 | 240 |
| New York | $93,410 | 2,930 |
| Georgia | $85,050 | 570 |
| Alaska | $83,620 | 50 |
| Colorado | $74,990 | 300 |
| Utah | $73,450 | 240 |
| Arizona | $68,250 | 520 |
| Maryland | $65,870 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $65,630 | 170 |
| Ohio | $64,860 | 520 |
| Texas | $63,110 | 1,100 |
| North Carolina | $62,720 | 380 |
| Florida | $62,220 | 970 |
| Nevada | $62,110 | 320 |
| Alabama | $61,800 | 220 |
| Massachusetts | $61,320 | 370 |
| Kansas | $60,690 | 110 |
| Washington | $60,250 | 440 |
| Louisiana | $58,440 | 270 |
| Virginia | $58,440 | 420 |
| Idaho | $58,140 | 120 |
| South Carolina | $57,940 | 40 |
| Iowa | $57,220 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $57,030 | 460 |
| Indiana | $56,810 | 200 |
| Michigan | $55,290 | 380 |
| Kentucky | $53,790 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $53,650 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $52,810 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,760 | 670 |
| Minnesota | $51,420 | 300 |
| Montana | $50,910 | 110 |
| Mississippi | $49,920 | 60 |
| Rhode Island | $49,790 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $49,050 | 290 |
| Arkansas | $48,680 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $48,620 | 220 |
| Vermont | $46,350 | 130 |
| Nebraska | $46,180 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $45,880 | N/A |
| Hawaii | $44,230 | 90 |
| South Dakota | $44,160 | 50 |
| West Virginia | $43,390 | 60 |
| Maine | $37,590 | 70 |
State median wages for camera operators, television, video, and film (SOC 27-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for camera operators
The BLS projects employment of camera operators to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 32,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 33,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,500 openings a year for camera operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a camera operator
The typical entry-level education for camera operators is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a camera operator earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $106,900) and the lowest (Maine, $37,590) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 21,550 people work as camera operators in the United States. At $74,990 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Camera operator salary FAQ
How much does a camera operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a camera operator is $36.05. The middle half of camera operators earn between $24.48 and $51.28 per hour.
What is the highest camera operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of camera operators earn more than $135,180 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a camera operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a camera operator is $74,990. The average (mean) wage of $83,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a camera operator a well paid job?
At $74,990 a year, a camera operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 21,550 people work as camera operators in the United States.
Which state pays camera operators the most?
California has the highest median salary for camera operators at $106,900 a year. Illinois ($100,170) and District of Columbia ($98,300) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a camera operator a good career?
Employment of camera operators is projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a camera operator?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for camera operators as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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