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What Does it Take to Be a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator?
Position Description Operate television, video, or motion picture camera to record images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures.
A Day in the Life of a Video Camera Operator
- Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
- Receive raw film stock and maintain film inventories.
- Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.
- Download exposed film for shipment to processing labs.
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What Every Video Camera Operator Should Know
When polled, Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator
- Production Assistant
- Wild Life Photographer
- Title Camera Operator
- Videographer
- Cinematographer
Are There Job Opportunities for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 25,100 jobs in the United States for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,800 new jobs for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,600 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Video Camera Operator are Georgia, Utah, and New Mexico. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Video Camera Operator
The average yearly salary of a Video Camera Operator ranges between $25,790 and $102,470.
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators who work in District of Columbia, New York, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $44,610 |
| Arizona | $61,580 |
| Arkansas | $57,420 |
| California | $77,540 |
| Colorado | $55,220 |
| Connecticut | $48,560 |
| District of Columbia | $77,770 |
| Florida | $50,600 |
| Georgia | $59,110 |
| Hawaii | $59,780 |
| Illinois | $45,340 |
| Indiana | $40,610 |
| Iowa | $36,580 |
| Kansas | $42,940 |
| Kentucky | $38,670 |
| Louisiana | $47,800 |
| Maine | $39,790 |
| Maryland | $57,780 |
| Massachusetts | $52,380 |
| Michigan | $58,090 |
| Minnesota | $45,600 |
| Missouri | $50,150 |
| Montana | $32,940 |
| Nevada | $49,770 |
| New Hampshire | $32,020 |
| New Jersey | $62,690 |
| New York | $86,430 |
| North Carolina | $57,390 |
| North Dakota | $42,690 |
| Ohio | $55,600 |
| Oklahoma | $46,550 |
| Oregon | $68,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,350 |
| South Carolina | $48,230 |
| South Dakota | $30,480 |
| Tennessee | $51,140 |
| Texas | $57,360 |
| Utah | $50,810 |
| Vermont | $40,610 |
| Virginia | $55,410 |
| Washington | $65,400 |
| West Virginia | $46,700 |
| Wisconsin | $42,110 |
What Tools & Technology do Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- YouTube
- Google Drive
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
- Adobe Systems Adobe Premiere Pro
How to Become a Video Camera Operator
What education or degrees do I need to become a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Video Camera Operator?
Where Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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