Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in North Carolina
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in North Carolina earn a median of $62,720 a year ($30.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,710 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $74,990. North Carolina ranks 14th of 46 states for camera operators, television, video, and film pay. There are 0.08 camera operators, television, video, and film per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $68,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for camera operators, television, video, and film in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| 25th percentile | $52,600 | $25.29 |
| Median | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| 75th percentile | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| Average (mean) | $68,820 | $33.09 |
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 | $5,226.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,613.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,412.31 |
| Weekly | $1,206.15 |
| Hourly | $30.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,990 | n/a |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $62,720 | 120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $45,820 | 90 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Photographer | $37,120 | $17.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Film and Video Editors | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Lighting Technician | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for camera operators, television, video, and film in North Carolina is $62,720 a year, or $30.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid camera operators, television, video, and film make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of camera operators, television, video, and film in North Carolina earn at least $85,710 a year. The top 25% earn $79,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for camera operators, television, video, and film in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,040 a year, and a quarter of camera operators, television, video, and film earn $52,600 or less.
How many camera operators, television, video, and film work in North Carolina?
About 380 camera operators, television, video, and film are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.