Video Camera Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Video Camera Operator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Video Camera Operator in the United States is $73,340 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Video Camera Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,408
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,531 to $80,704
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,689
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View as table View as graph 25% $62,531 10% $52,689 90% $87,408 75% $80,704 $73,340 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Video Camera Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $80,704 $6,725 $1,552 $39
Average $73,340 $6,112 $1,410 $35
25th Percentile $62,531 $5,211 $1,203 $30
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Key Factors That Influence Video Camera Operator Salaries

A Video Camera Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Video Camera Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Video Camera Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $70,788
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $71,088
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $74,661
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $77,853
  • Expert (over 8 years): $78,081
Levels Salary
Entry Level Video Camera Operator$70,788
Intermediate Level Video Camera Operator$71,088
Senior Level Video Camera Operator$74,661
Specialist Level Video Camera Operator$77,853
Expert Level Video Camera Operator$78,081
$70,788 0 yr
$71,088 < 2 yrs
$74,661 2-4 yrs
$77,853 5-8 yrs
$78,081 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Video Camera Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Video Camera Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $81,202.
  • California: $80,894.
  • Massachusetts: $79,816.

Top Paying Cities for Video Camera Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $92,504
  • San Francisco: $91,491
  • Oakland: $89,563

What Skills Can Increase a Video Camera Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Storytelling (Mentioned in 4.53% Job Postings): Planning, creating and presenting stories or narratives to achieve diverse personal and business goals.
  • Videography (Mentioned in 4.19% Job Postings): Videography is the process of capturing moving images on electronic media and even streaming media.
  • Publishing (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): Publishing is the dissemination of literature, music, or information. It is the activity of making information available to the general public. In some cases, authors may be their own publishers, meaning originators and developers of content also provide media to deliver and display their content. Also, the word "publisher" can refer both to an individual who leads a publishing company or an imprint and to an individual who owns/heads a magazine. Traditionally, the term refers to the distribution of printed works, such as books (the "book trade") and newspapers. With the advent of digital information systems and the Internet, the scope of publishing has expanded to include electronic resources such as the electronic versions of books and periodicals, as well as micropublishing, websites, blogs, video game publishers, and the like. Publishing includes the following stages of development: acquisition, copy editing, production, printing (and its electronic equivalents), marketing, and distribution.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Storytelling 4.53%
Videography 4.19%
Publishing 1.94%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Video Camera Operator's salary.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight
$76,274
4%
Project Management
$75,540
3%
Flexibility
$75,540
3%
Adobe Premiere Pro
$74,807
2%
Advertising
$74,807
2%
Animation
$74,807
2%
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Video Camera Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Video Camera Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Video Camera Operator positions in Media or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Video Camera Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Video Camera Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$110,010$53.050%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$88,008$42.020%

How Education impacts a Video Camera Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Video Camera Operators enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Video Camera Operator with a Associate's Degree is between $67,923 and $75,596).

Video Camera Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Video Camera Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.6%
High School 14.0%
Associates 11.9%
Bachelors 63.9%
Masters 8.0%
Doctorate 0.7%
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Video Camera Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Video Camera Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Video Camera Operator

Salaries for a Video Camera Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $65,248 in 2023 to around $65,061 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Video Camera Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Video Camera Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$65,248
2024
$65,472
2025
$65,061
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $65,248
2024 $65,472
2025 $65,061
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Video Camera Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Video Camera Operator

Here are companies hiring for Video Camera Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Video Camera Operator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Video Camera Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full Bene... more

    12 Days Ago

  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    17 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    17 Days Ago

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FAQ about Video Camera Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Video Camera Operator?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Video Camera Operator roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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