Creative & Media
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
Median salary (BLS)
$74,990
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$39k – $135k
Job outlook
+1% (about average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $91,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Education
Typical entry: Associate degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Entry / Junior
$38,520
~2 yrs to advance
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Established
$74,990
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Senior
$105,085
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Creative & Media
Explore all- University of Southern California12% admit · $86,000 grad pay
- New York University12% admit · $84,000 grad pay
- Northwestern University7% admit · $95,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.