Camera operator earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level camera operator earnings begin at:

$29.91 per hour

$62,200 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level camera operator earnings begin at:

$23.89 per hour

$49,700 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level camera operator earnings begin at:

$14.63 per hour

$30,430 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level camera operator earnings begin at:

$14.00 per hour

$29,120 per year

10th percentile

Starting level camera operator earnings begin at:

$13.62 per hour

$28,340 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Camera operator salary by state

State Name Average Salary
New Jersey $94,100
Connecticut $80,140
New York $80,010
District of Columbia $77,670
Maryland $62,120
Missouri $61,200
Washington $60,580
Colorado $60,360
Oregon $60,360
Arizona $59,980
Hawaii $59,960
California $54,420
Texas $54,090
Mississippi $53,550
Virginia $50,090
Minnesota $49,150
Illinois $49,070
Indiana $48,940
North Carolina $48,830
Alabama $48,750
Nebraska $48,590
Utah $48,510
Idaho $48,370
North Dakota $48,340
Kentucky $48,030
Florida $47,780
Wyoming $47,590
Arkansas $47,050
South Carolina $47,030
Oklahoma $46,150
Massachusetts $43,940
Kansas $41,920
Vermont $39,320
Georgia $38,920
Wisconsin $38,690
Michigan $38,550
South Dakota $38,210
New Hampshire $38,030
Ohio $37,890
Nevada $37,510
Pennsylvania $37,490
Louisiana $36,950
West Virginia $36,450
Maine $36,130
Guam $32,590
Tennessee $31,040
Montana $30,750
Iowa $30,430
Puerto Rico $30,070
New Mexico $22,990

How do camera operator salaries compare to similar careers?

Camera operators earn about the same as related careers in Iowa. On average, they make less than museum conservators but more than glass blowers.

Career Median Salary
Museum conservator salary $46K
Art therapist salary $47K
Precious metal worker salary $39K
Film and video editor salary $39K
Graphic designer salary $39K
Camera operator salary $30K
Exhibit designer salary $38K
Announcer salary $37K
Photographer salary $36K
Glass blower salary $37K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)