Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $74,990 · Median hourly: $36.05 · Employment: 21,550
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 25th | $50,920 | $24.48 |
| Median | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 75th | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| 90th | $135,180 | $64.99 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 27-4031
- Total U.S. employment: 21,550
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
The numbers in context
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,800 | $29.71 | -17.6% | 220 |
| Alaska | $83,620 | $40.20 | +11.5% | 50 |
| Arizona | $68,250 | $32.81 | -9.0% | 520 |
| Arkansas | $48,680 | $23.40 | -35.1% | 60 |
| California | $106,900 | $51.39 | +42.6% | 4,700 |
| Colorado | $74,990 | $36.05 | 0.0% | 300 |
| Connecticut | $65,630 | $31.55 | -12.5% | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $98,300 | $47.26 | +31.1% | 240 |
| Florida | $62,220 | $29.91 | -17.0% | 970 |
| Georgia | $85,050 | $40.89 | +13.4% | 570 |
| Hawaii | $44,230 | $21.27 | -41.0% | 90 |
| Idaho | $58,140 | $27.95 | -22.5% | 120 |
| Illinois | $100,170 | $48.16 | +33.6% | 1,060 |
| Indiana | $56,810 | $27.31 | -24.2% | 200 |
| Iowa | $57,220 | $27.51 | -23.7% | 90 |
| Kansas | $60,690 | $29.18 | -19.1% | 110 |
| Kentucky | $53,790 | $25.86 | -28.3% | 170 |
| Louisiana | $58,440 | $28.10 | -22.1% | 270 |
| Maine | $37,590 | $18.07 | -49.9% | 70 |
| Maryland | $65,870 | $31.67 | -12.2% | 290 |
| Massachusetts | $61,320 | $29.48 | -18.2% | 370 |
| Michigan | $55,290 | $26.58 | -26.3% | 380 |
| Minnesota | $51,420 | $24.72 | -31.4% | 300 |
| Mississippi | $49,920 | $24.00 | -33.4% | 60 |
| Missouri | — | — | — | 170 |
| Montana | $50,910 | $24.48 | -32.1% | 110 |
| Nebraska | $46,180 | $22.20 | -38.4% | 100 |
| Nevada | $62,110 | $29.86 | -17.2% | 320 |
| New Hampshire | $45,880 | $22.06 | -38.8% | 0 |
| New Jersey | — | — | — | 750 |
| New Mexico | $49,050 | $23.58 | -34.6% | 290 |
| New York | $93,410 | $44.91 | +24.6% | 2,930 |
| North Carolina | $62,720 | $30.15 | -16.4% | 380 |
| North Dakota | $53,650 | $25.79 | -28.5% | 40 |
| Ohio | $64,860 | $31.18 | -13.5% | 520 |
| Oklahoma | $48,620 | $23.38 | -35.2% | 220 |
| Oregon | — | — | — | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,760 | $24.88 | -31.0% | 670 |
| Rhode Island | $49,790 | $23.94 | -33.6% | 50 |
| South Carolina | $57,940 | $27.86 | -22.7% | 40 |
| South Dakota | $44,160 | $21.23 | -41.1% | 50 |
| Tennessee | $57,030 | $27.42 | -23.9% | 460 |
| Texas | $63,110 | $30.34 | -15.8% | 1,100 |
| Utah | $73,450 | $35.31 | -2.1% | 240 |
| Vermont | $46,350 | $22.29 | -38.2% | 130 |
| Virginia | $58,440 | $28.10 | -22.1% | 420 |
| Washington | $60,250 | $28.97 | -19.7% | 440 |
| West Virginia | $43,390 | $20.86 | -42.1% | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $52,810 | $25.39 | -29.6% | 300 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for camera operators, television, video, and film?
The median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and film is $74,990 ($36.05 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays camera operators, television, video, and film the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many camera operators, television, video, and film are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 21,550 camera operators, television, video, and film employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do camera operators, television, video, and film make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $36.05. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.