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Camera Operators


At a Glance

  • Film everything from movies to videos to weddings
  • Have a good "eye" and artistic ability
  • Work with directors, technicians, and subjects
  • Work under bright lights
  • May work long, irregular hours
  • May travel to work on location
  • Have a bachelor's degree

Career summary

Camera operators use motion picture, TV, or video cameras to film a wide range of subjects.

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Camera operators film:

Camera operators work in a variety of settings. They work for:

Camera operators who film movies often move while filming. They use cameras in any of several different camera mounts. For example, the operator may stay in place and shoot whatever passes in front of the lens. The camera may be mounted on a track, and the operator and camera move to shoot the scene from several angles. Sometimes operators sit in cranes and follow the action while crane operators move them into position. Steadicam operators wear a harness and carry the camera. This provides a steadier picture as they film the action.

News camera operators work as part of a reporting team. They go to news events and film them as they occur. They are also called electronic news gathering (ENG) operators. ENG operators may edit raw footage on the scene and relay it to the TV station. They also clean, maintain, and repair broadcasting equipment to make sure they are working properly.

All camera operators begin by observing the set or situation to determine the filming requirements. They consult with the director or technicians about lighting needs and desired effects. Operators select the proper film and equipment. They set up the camera and accessories, such as special lenses. On large projects, they instruct camera assistants how to set up the equipment. 

Operators adjust the camera position or mount before shooting film. They also adjust the camera controls for exposure, distance, and other variables. They review film sequences to be sure they have the effect they want and make adjustments if needed.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to camera operators.

Common work activities

Camera operators perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, camera operators:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Camera operators frequently:

It is important for camera operators to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for camera operators to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Camera operators need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Work with people

Perceive and visualize

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a camera operator, you typically need to:

Education after high school

Most camera operators have a bachelor's degree in camera operation or videography. In these programs you study equipment operation, photographic processes, and camera techniques. A bachelor's degree program that includes business classes is good preparation for this occupation.

Work experience

You can get related experience through summer or part-time employment. Good places to work are cable networks, TV stations, movie studios, or camera and video stores.

Look for internship programs while you are in school. These offer good experience and contacts.

On-the-job training

As a beginning camera operator, you learn to set up the lights, cameras, and other equipment. You get routine assignments, such as making camera adjustments and deciding what subject matter to film. As you gain experience, you advance to more demanding assignments. 

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be photographic specialists or audiovisual broadcast technicians. These specialties include camera operation. Training lasts seven to 52 weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Many camera operators are self-employed. If you think you might want to run your own business some day, you should also consider taking:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers usually seek camera operators with a "good eye" and artistic ability. Imagination, creativity, and good eyesight are also important. Jobs with news teams at TV stations often require a bachelor's degree.

Camera operators should be patient, accurate, and enjoy working with details. Camera operators need good verbal skills in order to communicate with directors, actors, and technicians. They must also have the ability to hold a camera for long periods of time.

In the film industry, camera operators usually are hired based on recommendations from people they worked with in the past. They may also be hired through interviews with the producer.

Many workers begin part time or on call, and work into a full-time position or gain enough experience to be hired by another company. Experience can also be gained through internships at video production companies or volunteering at community television stations.

Tips

Network with people in the field. Develop solid writing skills and excellent computer skills.

Costs to workers

Some workers are required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and monthly dues. Some workers join professional associations or trade groups, which may have annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture (SOC 27-4031)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $15.72 $21.76 $30.98 $39.05 $47.37
Monthly $2,724 $3,771 $5,369 $6,767 $8,209
Yearly $32,690 $45,270 $64,440 $81,210 $98,530
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $18.33 $25.15 $34.31 $41.50 $49.34
Monthly $3,177 $4,358 $5,946 $7,192 $8,551
Yearly $38,141 $52,319 $71,359 $86,324 $102,646
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $11.85 $16.24 $23.85 $29.67 $42.32
Monthly $2,054 $2,814 $4,133 $5,142 $7,334
Yearly $24,649 $33,771 $49,606 $61,699 $88,028
    Vancouver Hourly $12.68 $15.99 $38.96 $46.00 $49.95
Monthly $2,197 $2,771 $6,752 $7,972 $8,656
Yearly $26,366 $33,262 $81,035 $95,684 $103,903
United States Hourly $12.40 $17.56 $26.24 $37.16 $49.27
Monthly $2,149 $3,043 $4,547 $6,440 $8,538
Yearly $25,790 $36,520 $54,570 $77,290 $102,470

Wages vary by employer. Wages also vary based on the camera operator's skill and reputation. Many camera operators who work in film or video are freelancers. Their annual earnings tend to change from year to year.

Benefits vary by employer. Full-time camera operators may receive benefits such as vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Part-time camera operators usually do not receive benefits. Self-employed camera operators must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

 

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture (SOC 27-4031)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 342 7.6% 16.1% 38
    King County 182 11.0% 19.6% 21
    Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties 12 0.0% 13.8% 1
    Snohomish County 42 4.8% 12.4% 4
    Spokane County 62 3.2% 13.9% 6
United States 29,400 8.2% 5.2% 3,200

National employment

About 26% of camera operators are self-employed.

Major employers:

Most camera operators work in large urban areas.

National outlook

Job growth will be faster than average. Internet and streaming services are providing new outlets for film productions which may lead to more jobs for camera operators. 

Competition for jobs will be strong. This is especially true for people who want to get into the broadcasting and motion picture industries. People who have experience at a TV station or on a film set will have the best job opportunities.

Other resources

American Society of Cinematographers (external link)
PO Box 2230
Los Angeles, CA 90028
American Society of Media Photographers (external link)
PO Box 31207
Bethesda, MD 20824
877.771.2767
IATSE Local #15 (external link)
2800 First Avenue, Suite 231
Seattle, WA 98121
206.441.1515
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the US, Its Territories, and Canada (external link)
207 West 25th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.730.1770
National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-Communications Workers of America (external link)
501 - 3rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.434.1254
National Association of Broadcasters (external link)
1771 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.429.5300
School Journalism Website (external link)
(for youth from the American Society of Newspaper Editors)
Showbizjobs.com (external link)
Society for Cinema & Media Studies (external link)
640 Parrington Oval
Wallace Old Science Hall, Room 300
Norman, OK 73019
TV Jobs (external link)
TVTechnology (external link)
Washington Filmworks (external link)
1411 4th Avenue, Suite 1000
Seattle, WA 98101
206.264.0667

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupations

Holland occupational cluster

COPSystem