Occupation · SOC 27-4031
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
Median wage
$68,810
$36,240–$131,420
Projected growth
+1.4%
Slower than average
Annual openings
40
per year
Employed (US)
24,460
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
242 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
English LanguageComputers and ElectronicsCommunications and MediaTelecommunications
Technology & tools
Document management softwareVideo creation and editing softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareDesktop publishing software
Representative tasks
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.Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming.Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.Direct studio productions.Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.Set up and operate electric news gathering (ENG) microwave vehicles to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast.Write new scripts for broadcasts.Design graphics for studio productions.Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Camera controls and basic settings — identify and adjust under direct supervision on a closed television or film set.Shot composition fundamentals — apply basic framing techniques with guidance from a director or senior camera operator.Zoom lens operation — practice changing focal lengths according to written rehearsal instructions in a controlled studio environment.Camera mount types — recognize and distinguish stationary, track-mounted, and crane-mounted configurations under instructor or crew guidance.Light and exposure basics — observe and describe how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO affect image quality during supervised shoots.Set observation — identify potential filming obstacles and report findings to a supervising crew member before a scheduled shoot.Crew communication — listen actively and relay assignment details between directors and technical staff during pre-production briefings.Camera maintenance routines — perform basic cleaning and storage procedures following standard protocols on production equipment.Live shot setup — assist in positioning and cabling cameras for a simple broadcast segment under close supervisory oversight.Video creation software — open, review, and label recorded footage files using standard production software on a studio workstation.
developing
Camera operation for broadcast — record television or advertising scenes with reduced oversight, consistently meeting director-specified quality standards.Shot composition and lens selection — frame and execute a variety of shots by independently applying knowledge of lenses, filters, and lighting on location or in-studio.Focus and exposure adjustment — modify camera, printer, and related equipment controls to achieve required depth of field and exposure during routine production runs.Zoom lens execution — operate zoom lenses smoothly and accurately to match specifications established in rehearsals for multi-camera television productions.Lighting requirement assessment — evaluate sets and locations for lighting challenges and recommend adjustments to electricians and lighting technicians before filming begins.Live broadcast setup — independently configure and execute live shots for scheduled broadcast segments, coordinating with the technical director and floor crew.Director collaboration — confer with directors and sound technicians to confirm filming sequences and camera movements, adapting plans when minor changes arise.Camera mount operation — set up and operate track-mounted or crane-mounted camera systems according to production schedules with minimal re-takes.Time management on set — prioritize and complete assigned camera tasks within tight production timelines across multi-scene shoots.Cloud-based asset management — upload, organize, and share recorded footage through cloud-based platforms following established production workflows.
proficient
Full-scope camera operation — independently operate television, video, and motion picture cameras across broadcast, advertising, and film productions from pre-production through final take.Advanced shot composition — synthesize knowledge of light, lenses, film stocks, filters, and camera settings to realize complex visual effects sought by directors on demanding productions.Non-routine exposure and focus challenges — diagnose and resolve difficult lighting conditions or focus anomalies autonomously during live or location shoots.Multi-mount camera strategy — select and execute stationary, track, and crane mount configurations to support complex scene choreography without director intervention.Location scouting and technical assessment — conduct independent surveys of sets and locations, producing detailed reports on filming requirements, hazards, and lighting solutions.Cross-department coordination — lead technical discussions with directors, sound engineers, lighting technicians, and electricians to align camera movements, effects, and sequences for high-stakes productions.Live broadcast troubleshooting — identify and resolve equipment or signal issues in real time to maintain uninterrupted live coverage during broadcasts.Critical judgment on framing and pacing — apply creative and technical decision-making to adjust shot selection mid-production when story or technical needs shift unexpectedly.Production software proficiency — use video creation, editing, and graphics software to review rushes, annotate issues, and support post-production handoffs on professional timelines.Mentorship of junior operators — guide entry-level camera operators through technical procedures and set protocols during active productions.
advanced
Camera department leadership — set the overall visual and technical direction for camera crews across simultaneous productions, ensuring consistent quality and creative alignment with executive stakeholders.Visual storytelling strategy — develop and champion camera language, framing philosophies, and lighting aesthetics that define a production's signature look at the organizational or network level.Complex multi-camera system design — architect multi-camera configurations for large-scale broadcasts or film productions, integrating crane, track, and specialized mounts to meet director and producer visions.Organizational workflow development — design and implement camera department workflows, including asset management protocols, technology adoption, and quality control standards across a production company.Senior crew development — create and lead training programs for camera operators, assistants, and technicians, building technical and creative capability within the department.Cross-functional production leadership — represent the camera department in executive-level planning sessions, negotiating resources, schedules, and technical requirements with directors, producers, and network executives.Emerging technology integration — evaluate and introduce new camera technologies, software platforms, and broadcast systems to maintain competitive production capabilities.Risk and contingency management — anticipate and resolve high-stakes technical or logistical failures during live or location shoots, preserving broadcast integrity and production timelines.Industry standards and compliance oversight — establish and enforce safety, intellectual property, and broadcast standards compliance protocols across all camera operations within the organization.Strategic vendor and partner relations — negotiate and manage relationships with equipment suppliers, rental houses, and technology vendors to optimize the department's capabilities and budget alignment.
Also known as
99 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Studio Camera OperatorOperations TechnicianAdvanced Air Mobility Technician (AAM Technician)Urban Air Mobility Operator (UAM Operator)Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Operator (UAV Operator)Visual Documentation Specialist (Navy A25A)Movie Shot Camera OperatorMultimedia Director/Producer (Navy A05A)Broadcast Engineering Technician (Navy V78B)Master Control Operator (MCO)Director of PhotographyRemote PilotMotion Picture CameramanUnmanned Aircraft Technician (UA Technician)Advanced Air Mobility Pilot (AAM Pilot)Camera Operator, TitleUnmanned Aircraft Operator (UA Operator)Legal VideographerRemotely Piloted Aircraft Operator (RPA Operator)Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator (UAS Operator)Commercial Drone PilotCamera EngineerAdvanced Visual Information-Photojournalism Marine (Marine Corps 4543)Remotely Piloted Aircraft Camera Operator (RPA Camera Operator)Public Affairs Apprentice (Air Force 3N036)Animation Camera OperatorVisual Information Equipment Operator-Maintainer (Army 46T)Public Affairs Craftsman (Air Force 3N076)Camera Operator, AnimationNews Camera PersonSensor OperatorUnmanned Aerial Systems Technician (UAS Technician)Commercial Drone OperatorUrban Air Mobility Technician (UAM Technician)Sports VideographerInformation System Technician (Coast Guard IT)Video CoordinatorVideo OperatorCameramanAerial Camera Operator