Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $38,630 a year ($18.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,940 for the top 10%. That is 48% lower than the national median of $74,990. Pay here is 25% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $51,760. There are 0.11 camera operators, television, video, and film per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for camera operators, television, video, and film in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,450 | $10.31 |
| 25th percentile | $21,520 | $10.35 |
| Median | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| 75th percentile | $58,960 | $28.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Average (mean) | $44,570 | $21.43 |
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 | $3,219.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,609.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,485.77 |
| Weekly | $742.88 |
| Hourly | $18.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $54,690 | 70 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $52,040 | 300 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $40,030 | 60 |
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 or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Photographer | $42,530 | $20.45 |
| Film and Video Editors | $54,510 | $26.21 |
| Broadcast Technician | $81,030 | $38.96 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $73,140 | $35.16 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $57,830 | $27.81 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Editor | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Interior Designer | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Floral Designer | $36,070 | $17.34 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for camera operators, television, video, and film in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $38,630 a year, or $18.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid camera operators, television, video, and film make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of camera operators, television, video, and film in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $78,940 a year. The top 25% earn $58,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for camera operators, television, video, and film in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,450 a year, and a quarter of camera operators, television, video, and film earn $21,520 or less.
How many camera operators, television, video, and film work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 130 camera operators, television, video, and film are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.