Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in South Dakota
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in South Dakota earn a median of $44,160 a year ($21.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,180 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $74,990. South Dakota ranks 44th of 46 states for camera operators, television, video, and film pay. There are 0.10 camera operators, television, video, and film per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $50,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for camera operators, television, video, and film in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,880 | $13.88 |
| 25th percentile | $39,380 | $18.93 |
| Median | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| 75th percentile | $72,910 | $35.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,180 | $37.11 |
| Average (mean) | $50,620 | $24.34 |
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 | $3,680 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,840 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,698.46 |
| Weekly | $849.23 |
| Hourly | $21.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Photographer | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Broadcast Technician | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Film and Video Editors | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,360 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Choreographer | $40,320 | $19.39 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.53 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Floral Designer | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,520 | $20.92 |
| Producers and Directors | $60,260 | $28.97 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for camera operators, television, video, and film in South Dakota is $44,160 a year, or $21.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid camera operators, television, video, and film make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of camera operators, television, video, and film in South Dakota earn at least $77,180 a year. The top 25% earn $72,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for camera operators, television, video, and film in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,880 a year, and a quarter of camera operators, television, video, and film earn $39,380 or less.
How many camera operators, television, video, and film work in South Dakota?
About 50 camera operators, television, video, and film are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.