Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary by State
Also called: Camera Operators
The national median pay for camera operators, television, video, and film is $74,990 a year. By state, it ranges from $37,590 in Maine to $106,900 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $38,520
- 25th percentile
- $50,920
- Median
- $74,990
- 75th percentile
- $106,660
- Top 10%
- $135,180
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 21,550 jobs.
Median pay in 45 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $106,900 | +43% | $53,910 | $154,240 | 4,700 |
| 2 | Illinois | $100,170 | +34% | $38,840 | $133,940 | 1,060 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $98,300 | +31% | $62,450 | $134,450 | 240 |
| 4 | New York | $93,410 | +25% | $56,710 | $133,410 | 2,930 |
| 5 | Georgia | $85,050 | +13% | $36,250 | $159,090 | 570 |
| 6 | Alaska | $83,620 | +12% | $43,140 | $83,630 | 50 |
| 7 | Colorado | $74,990 | 0% | $47,900 | $122,170 | 300 |
| 8 | Utah | $73,450 | −2% | $39,940 | $105,270 | 240 |
| 9 | Arizona | $68,250 | −9% | $38,520 | $162,960 | 520 |
| 10 | Maryland | $65,870 | −12% | $44,900 | $97,800 | 290 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $65,630 | −12% | $37,000 | $89,900 | 170 |
| 12 | Ohio | $64,860 | −14% | $43,080 | $104,830 | 520 |
| 13 | Texas | $63,110 | −16% | $32,360 | $111,990 | 1,100 |
| 14 | North Carolina | $62,720 | −16% | $43,040 | $85,710 | 380 |
| 15 | Florida | $62,220 | −17% | $32,230 | $132,320 | 970 |
| 16 | Nevada | $62,110 | −17% | $33,160 | $99,560 | 320 |
| 17 | Alabama | $61,800 | −18% | $41,190 | $69,630 | 220 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $61,320 | −18% | $31,300 | $133,760 | 370 |
| 19 | Kansas | $60,690 | −19% | $36,270 | $90,820 | 110 |
| 20 | Washington | $60,250 | −20% | $37,780 | $130,410 | 440 |
| 21 | Louisiana | $58,440 | −22% | $38,590 | $95,990 | 270 |
| 22 | Virginia | $58,440 | −22% | $41,710 | $98,870 | 420 |
| 23 | Idaho | $58,140 | −22% | $33,540 | $98,770 | 120 |
| 24 | South Carolina | $57,940 | −23% | $40,740 | $76,110 | 40 |
| 25 | Iowa | $57,220 | −24% | $36,700 | $81,180 | 90 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $57,030 | −24% | $40,440 | $131,050 | 460 |
| 27 | Indiana | $56,810 | −24% | $34,640 | $76,540 | 200 |
| 28 | Michigan | $55,290 | −26% | $38,280 | $81,030 | 380 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $53,790 | −28% | $43,420 | $70,480 | 170 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $53,650 | −28% | $38,130 | $84,990 | 40 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $52,810 | −30% | $32,280 | $85,320 | 300 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $51,760 | −31% | $21,580 | $95,910 | 670 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $51,420 | −31% | $34,320 | $115,420 | 300 |
| 34 | Montana | $50,910 | −32% | $26,100 | $65,620 | 110 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $49,920 | −33% | $31,540 | $79,170 | 60 |
| 36 | Rhode Island | $49,790 | −34% | $42,290 | $76,500 | 50 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $49,050 | −35% | $38,730 | $101,160 | 290 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $48,680 | −35% | $30,070 | $93,090 | 60 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $48,620 | −35% | $34,830 | $103,440 | 220 |
| 40 | Vermont | $46,350 | −38% | $36,810 | $119,660 | 130 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $46,180 | −38% | $28,080 | $65,120 | 100 |
| 42 | New Hampshire | $45,880 | −39% | $33,180 | $70,850 | Not published |
| 43 | Hawaii | $44,230 | −41% | $30,880 | $76,600 | 90 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $44,160 | −41% | $28,880 | $77,180 | 50 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $43,390 | −42% | $28,330 | $67,790 | 60 |
| 46 | Maine | $37,590 | −50% | $32,810 | $154,230 | 70 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary questions
Which state pays camera operators, television, video, and film the most?
California, with a median of $106,900 a year (+43% vs. the national median of $74,990). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays camera operators, television, video, and film the least?
Maine, with a median of $37,590 a year (−50% vs. national).
Where do most camera operators, television, video, and film work?
California has the most jobs, about 4,700, with a median of $106,900.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.