What is a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator?
Career 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.
Daily Life Of a Video Camera Operator
- Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
- Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
- Receive raw film stock and maintain film inventories.
- Prepare slates that describe the scenes being filmed.
- Label and record contents of exposed film and note details on report forms.
- Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
Video Camera Operator Skills
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator
- Motion Picture Photographer
- Photo Journalist
- News Camera Person
- Motion Picture Camera Operator
- Broadcast Engineer
Video Camera Operator Employment Estimates
There were about 25,100 jobs for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Video Camera Operator
The salary for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators ranges between about $25,790 and $102,470 a year.
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators who work in District of Columbia, New York, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators 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 Premiere Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
How to Become a Video Camera Operator
Learn what Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators?
Below are examples of industries where Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
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