Television, Video and Motion Picture Camera Operators: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Job description

Television, Video and Motion Picture Camera Operators 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.

• Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
• Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
• Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
• Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.

Salary

Camera Operators with little to no experience tend to make between $25790 and $36520 while the more experienced ones can earn over $77290 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Television, Video and Motion Picture Camera Operator is to move to a higher paying state like NY. Right now, the highest paying states for Camera Operators are NY, DC, CA, OR and WA.

However, a higher pay at NY doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at NY might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Television, Video and Motion Picture Camera Operator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

Requirements

We asked other Camera Operators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Television, Video and Motion Picture Camera Operator.

What is the job like

68% of Camera Operators said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Is this right for me

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

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