Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
SOC: 27-4031 O*NET: 27-4031.00
Median Salary
$68,810
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
What does a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,240
10th percentile
Early Career
$48,060
25th percentile
Median
$68,810
50th percentile
Experienced
$102,400
75th percentile
Top Earners
$131,420
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,240
25th
$48,060
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$68,810
Mean: $79,870
75th
$102,400
90th
$131,420
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $95,180 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $48,060 and $102,400
- •Salary spread is 79.0% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 24,460 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:36,400
Top Industries
Information60.7%
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries35.1%
Motion Picture and Video Industries35%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.2%
Annual Openings:2,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)36,400
Current
2034 (Projected)36,900
+1.2%
+400
Employment Change
+1.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
5,520 jobs$101,6101.93x
New York
3,510 jobs$89,9602.32x
Florida
1,770 jobs$61,0201.14x
Texas
1,530 jobs$64,4300.70x
Illinois
870 jobs$82,9500.91x
Pennsylvania
670 jobs$50,8300.70x
Arizona
630 jobs$74,8301.25x
Washington
630 jobs$53,3401.13x
Virginia
510 jobs$71,7600.79x
Ohio
500 jobs$67,0400.57x
New Jersey
440 jobs$85,5600.66x
Tennessee
440 jobs$56,5400.85x
Michigan
440 jobs$54,9100.64x
Massachusetts
440 jobs$49,6700.77x
New Mexico
420 jobs$46,4203.10x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Coordination
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Judgment and Decision Making
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Critical Thinking
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Coordination
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Coordination
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors82%
5 shared skills
Cooks, Private Household82%
5 shared skills
Police Identification and Records Officers82%
5 shared skills
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Monitoring
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechAdobe After Effects
🔥 Hot TechTikTok
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Adobe After Effects
TikTok
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (3)Operations & Execution (3)General Responsibilities (10)Training & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film professionals typically have a ARC Holland code and highly value support
AArtistic
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.94
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.49
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.32
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.11
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.10
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.03
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Initiative
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Independence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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