Video and Film Camera Operator Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Video and film camera operators can acquire skills through formal postsecondary training at vocational schools, colleges, universities, or photographic institutes which teach equipment operation, photographic processes and camera techniques. A bachelor’s degree may be required for some positions. Training in videography can be helpful.
Training and Education
Education or job training for employees typically involves a postsecondary vocational award. At least 58% of video and film camera operators had a degree of four or more years. About 29% of workers had some college below a bachelor's degree. An estimated 13% of employees had just a high-school diploma.
Job Overview
Video and Film Camera Operators produce images that tell a story, inform or entertain an audience or record an event. Some camera operators do their own editing. They use video or motion picture cameras to shoot a wide range of materials constructed from many different shots by film and video editors. Technical expertise and creativity is vital for making commercial-quality movies and video programs. Some camera operators shoot private ceremonies and special events, such as weddings and conference program sessions. Those who record these images on videotape are often called videographers. Those employed in the entertainment field use motion picture cameras to film movies, television programs and commercials. Those who film motion pictures also are known as cinematographers.
Job Requirements
Producing successful images requires choosing and presenting interesting material, selecting appropriate equipment and applying a good eye and a steady hand to ensure smooth, natural movement of the camera. They should be patient, accurate and detail oriented. They should also have good communication skills. Those who run their own business or freelance, need business skills and talent.
Nature of Work
They frequently travel filming television programs, motion pictures, conventions or sporting events. Some of them work in uncomfortable and dangerous surroundings. They need to wait long hours in all kinds of weather for an event to take place and must stand or walk for long periods while carrying heavy equipment, all while working under strict deadlines. Hours of work and working schedules vary considerably. Camera operators who work in the entertainment field often meet with directors, actors, editors and camera assistants to discuss ways of filming, editing and improving the scenes by using specialized sound effects.
Area Job Conditions
The cities with the most video and film camera operators per capita are Elizabethtown (Kentucky), Hartford (Connecticut), and Reno (Nevada), while the worst cities are Minneapolis (Minnesota), Santa Ana (California), and Houston (Texas).
The highest salaries for workers are in and around Santa Ana (California), Albany (New York), and Washington (District of Columbia). The lowest-paying areas are Sioux Falls (South Dakota), Madison (Wisconsin), and Jackson (Mississippi).
Part-Time and Self Employment
An estimated 19% of video and film camera operators work part-time. An estimated 17% of workers were self-employed.
Career Videos
Video and Film Camera Operators by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $38,000 | 50 | -10% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $48,000 | 180 | -10% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | $41,000 | 60 | +68% |
| Los Angeles | $67,000 | 2,090 | +352% |
| Sacramento | $42,000 | 70 | -29% |
| San Diego | $39,000 | 310 | +108% |
| San Francisco | $74,000 | 200 | +77% |
| San Jose | $41,000 | 40 | -61% |
| Santa Ana | $51,000 | 40 | -76% |
| Santa Barbara | $59,000 | 40 | +119% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $47,000 | 280 | +97% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 250 | +284% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $65,000 | 290 | +4% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $43,000 | 40 | +88% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $40,000 | 100 | +26% |
| Jacksonville | $30,000 | 110 | +61% |
| Miami | $35,000 | 280 | +151% |
| Orlando | $38,000 | 260 | +125% |
| Tampa | $40,000 | 150 | +15% |
| West Palm Beach | $40,000 | 40 | -32% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $44,000 | 300 | +14% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $46,000 | 160 | +223% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $27,000 | 40 | +38% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $52,000 | 540 | +26% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $39,000 | 40 | -61% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $45,000 | 40 | +95% |
| Des Moines | $36,000 | 40 | +8% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $38,000 | 60 | -13% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $43,000 | 110 | +163% |
| New Orleans | $39,000 | 160 | +167% |
| Shreveport | $28,000 | 40 | +103% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $34,000 | 70 | +217% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $52,000 | 180 | +20% |
| Bethesda | $64,000 | 80 | +22% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $71,000 | 320 | +61% |
| Springfield | $33,000 | 30 | -10% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren | $41,000 | 110 | -11% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $48,000 | 120 | -41% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $43,000 | 30 | +260% |
| Kansas City | $33,000 | 130 | +12% |
| Springfield | $22,000 | 90 | +329% |
| St Louis | $51,000 | 200 | +31% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $43,000 | 40 | -25% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 90 | -7% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edison | $49,000 | 40 | -66% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 50 | +15% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $48,000 | 50 | -2% |
| Buffalo | $36,000 | 70 | +12% |
| Nassau | $39,000 | 90 | -38% |
| New York | $45,000 | 1,780 | +199% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $35,000 | 120 | +23% |
| Durham | $48,000 | 60 | +95% |
| Greensboro | $31,000 | 30 | -25% |
| Raleigh | $42,000 | 80 | +37% |
| Winston Salem | $38,000 | 30 | +29% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $24,000 | 30 | +129% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $47,000 | 80 | -31% |
| Cleveland | $55,000 | 90 | -23% |
| Columbus | $50,000 | 90 | -14% |
| Dayton | $44,000 | 50 | +16% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $26,000 | 150 | +129% |
| Tulsa | $27,000 | 60 | +24% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $51,000 | 110 | -6% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | $34,000 | 30 | -17% |
| Philadelphia | $40,000 | 130 | -40% |
| Pittsburgh | $42,000 | 210 | +61% |
| Scranton | $30,000 | 40 | +37% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $41,000 | 280 | +232% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $32,000 | 50 | -44% |
| Dallas | $43,000 | 220 | -8% |
| El Paso | $27,000 | 30 | -1% |
| San Antonio | $48,000 | 70 | -30% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $49,000 | 100 | +45% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $31,000 | 50 | +320% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $40,000 | 100 | +16% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $56,000 | 210 | +31% |
| Spokane | $28,000 | 40 | +77% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $38,000 | 70 | +84% |
| Milwaukee | $45,000 | 110 | +16% |