SOC 27-4031 · May 2025 · United States
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film across the United States is $74,990 per year, measured over 21,550 jobs. The highest state median is in California, at $106,900.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Pay for this occupation varies by 184.4% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. California pays $106,900 and Maine pays $37,590.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $106,900 | 4,700 | |
| 2 | Illinois | $100,170 | 1,060 | |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $98,300 | 240 | |
| 4 | New York | $93,410 | 2,930 | |
| 5 | Georgia | $85,050 | 570 | |
| 6 | Alaska | $83,620 | 50 | |
| 7 | Colorado | $74,990 | 300 | |
| 8 | Utah | $73,450 | 240 | |
| 9 | Arizona | $68,250 | 520 | |
| 10 | Maryland | $65,870 | 290 |
States with the most Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 4,700 | $106,900 | |
| 2 | New York | 2,930 | $93,410 | |
| 3 | Texas | 1,100 | $63,110 | |
| 4 | Illinois | 1,060 | $100,170 | |
| 5 | Florida | 970 | $62,220 | |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 670 | $51,760 | |
| 7 | Georgia | 570 | $85,050 | |
| 8 | Arizona | 520 | $68,250 | |
| 9 | Ohio | 520 | $64,860 | |
| 10 | Tennessee | 460 | $57,030 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | $107,620 | 3,540 |
| 2 | Chicago | $102,370 | 740 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $98,500 | 280 |
| 4 | New York | $93,410 | 3,000 |
| 5 | Sacramento | $84,870 | 50 |
| 6 | Anchorage | $83,620 | 40 |
| 7 | Washington | $83,320 | 500 |
| 8 | Minneapolis | $80,380 | 190 |
| 9 | Fresno | $80,030 | 40 |
| 10 | Rochester | $76,700 | 50 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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