Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in California
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in California earn a median of $106,900 a year ($51.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,700 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,240 for the top 10%. That is 43% higher than the national median of $74,990. California ranks 1st of 46 states for camera operators, television, video, and film pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.26 camera operators, television, video, and film per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,350, close to the median.
Pay range for camera operators, television, video, and film in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,910 | $25.92 |
| 25th percentile | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Median | $106,900 | $51.39 |
| 75th percentile | $130,960 | $62.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,240 | $74.16 |
| Average (mean) | $106,350 | $51.13 |
Half of camera operators, television, video, and film earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,908.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,454.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,111.54 |
| Weekly | $2,055.77 |
| Hourly | $51.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,620 | 3,540 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,500 | 280 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $84,870 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $80,030 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $71,390 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $56,580 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for camera operators, television, video, and film
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $106,900 |
| Illinois | $100,170 |
| District of Columbia | $98,300 |
| New York | $93,410 |
| Georgia | $85,050 |
| Alaska | $83,620 |
| Colorado | $74,990 |
| Utah | $73,450 |
| Arizona | $68,250 |
| Maryland | $65,870 |
See Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
| Photographer | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Lighting Technician | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a camera operators, television, video, and film make in California?
The median salary for camera operators, television, video, and film in California is $106,900 a year, or $51.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid camera operators, television, video, and film make in California?
The top 10% of camera operators, television, video, and film in California earn at least $154,240 a year. The top 25% earn $130,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for camera operators, television, video, and film in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,910 a year, and a quarter of camera operators, television, video, and film earn $76,060 or less.
How many camera operators, television, video, and film work in California?
About 4,700 camera operators, television, video, and film are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.