Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary
- 10th pct
- $38,520
- Middle 50%
- $50,920–$106,660
- 90th pct
- $135,180
The BLS estimates 21,550 Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film jobs in the U.S. with a median base pay of $74,990 ($36.05 an hour) (May 2025, SOC 27-4031). Across 17 metros with published figures, medians range from $52,040 in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD to $107,620 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE21,550 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall U.S. employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · United States
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Where Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film earn the most
17 metros · BLS
Highest-paying metros
| Metro | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,620 | 3,540 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,370 | 740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,500 | 280 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $93,410 | 3,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $83,320 | 500 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $76,250 | 360 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $74,990 | 220 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $74,710 | 210 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $71,080 | 350 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $64,380 | 290 |
Largest metros
| Metro | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,620 | 3,540 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $93,410 | 3,000 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,370 | 740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $83,320 | 500 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $76,250 | 360 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $71,080 | 350 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $62,220 | 330 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $61,820 | 320 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $52,040 | 300 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $64,380 | 290 |
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Questions
What is the median Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in the U.S.?
$74,990 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half earn $50,920–$106,660.
How much do Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make an hour?
The BLS U.S. median is $36.05 an hour (May 2025). The middle half earn $24.48–$51.28 an hour, and the 90th percentile is $64.99. These are straight-time wages, before overtime and shift differentials.
Where do Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film earn the most?
Highest metro medians: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($107,620), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ($102,370), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($98,500). Cost of living differs, so compare offers locally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 (metro, state and national estimates). Employer filing counts: U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2026 Q3, visa-sponsored positions only.