Home › Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media › Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film › District of Columbia
Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, District of Columbia
$104,500 / year
≈ $8,700 per month · $50.24 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for District of Columbia · median $101,500
25th percentile
$85,000Average
$104,50075th percentile
$128,000
$85,000Average
$104,50075th percentile
$128,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary by state
Alabama$61,000
Alaska$72,000
Arizona$98,000
Arkansas$57,500
California$110,000
Colorado$84,000
Connecticut$70,000
District of Columbia$104,500
Florida$74,000
Georgia$101,000
Hawaii$50,500
Idaho$62,500
Illinois$100,000
Indiana$59,500
Iowa$60,500
Kansas$66,000
Kentucky$57,500
Louisiana$64,000
Maine$60,500
Maryland$73,000
Massachusetts$82,000
Michigan$61,000
Minnesota$69,000
Mississippi$57,500
Montana$49,000
Nebraska$49,500
Nevada$70,000
New Hampshire$53,500
New Mexico$59,500
New York$102,500
North Carolina$71,000
North Dakota$59,000
Ohio$71,000
Oklahoma$60,000
Pennsylvania$55,500
Rhode Island$58,000
South Carolina$61,000
South Dakota$52,500
Tennessee$69,500
Texas$69,000
Utah$78,000
Vermont$67,000
Virginia$69,000
Washington$76,500
West Virginia$52,000
Wisconsin$58,000
About this role
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film is a professional role within the function in the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films do
Typical education: Associate's Degree
- 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.
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements.
- Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
Top skills: Active Listening Speaking Reading Comprehension Judgment and Decision Making Coordination Time Management
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film pay by experience level
Entry level$40,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$52,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$77,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$110,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$140,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+1.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
2,900
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary by industry
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries
7,600 workers
$99,500Motion Picture and Video Industries
7,580 workers
$99,500Broadcasting and Content Providers
4,230 workers
$73,500Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
2,770 workers
$83,500Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations
2,400 workers
$70,000Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, & Other Media Networks & Content Providers
1,830 workers
$78,500Administrative and Support Services
1,710 workers
$117,500Employment Services
1,440 workers
$128,500Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
1,250 workers
$66,000Spectator Sports
1,010 workers
$63,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film pays 3% below the average across 45 roles in the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family (family average $88,500).
Similar-paying roles in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Set and Exhibit Designers$86,000
Sound Engineering Technician$84,000
Film and Video Editors$89,000
Designers, All Other$82,000
Lighting Technician$81,000
Editor$93,500
Fashion Designer$94,500
Careers related to Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Robotics Technician$79,000
Audio and Video Technicians$67,000
Broadcast Technician$70,500
Talent Director$117,500
Avionics Technician$86,500
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make?
The average base salary for a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in the United States is $86,000 per year, or about $41.35 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $52,500 and $110,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media roles?
The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family averages $88,500 across 45 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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