Camera operator earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level camera operator earnings begin at:

$29.83 per hour

$62,050 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level camera operator earnings begin at:

$27.59 per hour

$57,390 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level camera operator earnings begin at:

$19.77 per hour

$41,120 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level camera operator earnings begin at:

$13.89 per hour

$28,900 per year

10th percentile

Starting level camera operator earnings begin at:

$11.27 per hour

$23,440 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Camera operator salary by state

State Name Average Salary
District of Columbia $81,420
New York $80,570
Oregon $69,200
California $67,510
New Mexico $65,180
Washington $64,440
Arkansas $63,420
New Jersey $61,990
Hawaii $59,780
Georgia $59,110
Texas $57,360
Ohio $55,870
Virginia $55,190
Colorado $54,290
Maryland $54,120
Michigan $53,120
Utah $52,440
Arizona $52,259
Mississippi $50,890
North Carolina $50,890
Florida $50,420
Nevada $49,770
Alabama $48,350
Tennessee $48,290
Wyoming $47,590
Missouri $47,280
Pennsylvania $46,350
Illinois $44,589
Kansas $44,510
Puerto Rico $43,650
Wisconsin $42,550
Louisiana $41,250
North Dakota $41,120
Minnesota $40,900
Connecticut $39,630
West Virginia $39,120
Indiana $38,729
Oklahoma $38,350
Massachusetts $38,110
Kentucky $37,402
Vermont $36,950
Iowa $36,690
Maine $35,950
Montana $32,480
Nebraska $30,720
South Carolina $29,510
South Dakota $28,830
New Hampshire $27,450
Guam $22,150

How do camera operator salaries compare to similar careers?

Camera operators earn 8% less than similar careers in North Dakota. On average, they make less than precious metal workers but more than film directors.

Career Median Salary
Precious metal worker salary $41K
Jeweler salary $41K
Calligrapher salary $55K
Interior designer salary $46K
Television writer salary $49K
Camera operator salary $41K
Talent director salary $42K
Producer salary $42K
Filmmaker salary $42K
Film director salary $42K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)