Career Profile • 27-4031

Camera operators, television, video, and film

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. 2025 median annual wage: $74990. Projected employment change, 2025–35: 1.3%.

Camera operators, television, video, and film career field illustration
Typical EducationBachelor's degree
Median Annual Wage$74,990
Projected Growth1.3%
Annual Openings2.5
Employment, 202532.6
Projected Employment, 203533
Related ExperienceNone
On-the-Job TrainingNone
Skills That Matter

Top Skills for This Career

BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.

1
Detail oriented

Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.

2
Adaptability

Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.

3
Computers and information technology

Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.

How do these skills connect to you?Use Hear From ED to reflect on your strengths, interests and work preferences.Explore with ED →
Education & Training Pathway

How Do You Prepare for This Career?

BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.

🎓Typical Entry EducationBachelor's degree
🧰On-the-Job TrainingNone
💼Related ExperienceNone

How to Become One

Film and video editors and camera operators typically need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to film or broadcasting. PayThe median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and film was $74,990 in May 2025.The median annual wage for film and video editors was $75,420 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of film and video editors and camera operators is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,600 openings for film and video editors and camera operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for film and video editors and camera operators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of film and video editors and camera operators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about film and video editors and camera operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Your Next Step

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Earnings

Pay

The median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and film was $74,990 in May 2025.The median annual wage for film and video editors was $75,420 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of film and video editors and camera operators is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,600 openings for film and video editors and camera operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for film and video editors and camera operators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of film and video editors and camera operators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about film and video editors and camera operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

$74,9902025 median annual wage
Future Outlook

Job Outlook

Overall employment of film and video editors and camera operators is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,600 openings for film and video editors and camera operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for film and video editors and camera operators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of film and video editors and camera operators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about film and video editors and camera operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What They Do

Film and video editors and camera operators manipulate moving images that entertain or inform an audience.

Work Environment

Film and video editors and camera operators typically work in studios or in offices. Camera operators and videographers often shoot raw footage on location.

How to Become a Film and Video Editor or Camera Operator

Film and video editors and camera operators typically need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to film or broadcasting.

Pay

The median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and film was $74,990 in May 2025.

The median annual wage for film and video editors was $75,420 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of film and video editors and camera operators is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 5,600 openings for film and video editors and camera operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for film and video editors and camera operators.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of film and video editors and camera operators with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about film and video editors and camera operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Work Environment

Film and video editors and camera operators typically work in studios or in offices. Camera operators and videographers often shoot raw footage on location.

How to Become a Film and Video Editor or Camera Operator

Film and video editors and camera operators typically need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to film or broadcasting.

Pay

The median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and film was $74,990 in May 2025.

The median annual wage for film and video editors was $75,420 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of film and video editors and camera operators is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 5,600 openings for film and video editors and camera operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for film and video editors and camera operators.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of film and video editors and camera operators with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about film and video editors and camera operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for film and video editors and camera operators.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of film and video editors and camera operators with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about film and video editors and camera operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

More Information

Learn more about film and video editors and camera operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Take the Next Step

Find Education Programs

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Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.

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