Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in Washington
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in Washington earn a median of $60,250 a year ($28.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,410 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $74,990. Washington ranks 20th of 46 states for camera operators, television, video, and film pay. There are 0.12 camera operators, television, video, and film per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for camera operators, television, video, and film in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,780 | $18.17 |
| 25th percentile | $44,120 | $21.21 |
| Median | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| 75th percentile | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,410 | $62.70 |
| Average (mean) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
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 | $5,020.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,510.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,317.31 |
| Weekly | $1,158.65 |
| Hourly | $28.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $61,820 | 320 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $36,230 | 50 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Photographer | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Film and Video Editors | $66,870 | $32.15 |
| Broadcast Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Lighting Technician | $126,100 | $60.63 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Editor | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Technical Writer | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,750 | $29.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for camera operators, television, video, and film in Washington is $60,250 a year, or $28.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid camera operators, television, video, and film make in Washington?
The top 10% of camera operators, television, video, and film in Washington earn at least $130,410 a year. The top 25% earn $105,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for camera operators, television, video, and film in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,780 a year, and a quarter of camera operators, television, video, and film earn $44,120 or less.
How many camera operators, television, video, and film work in Washington?
About 440 camera operators, television, video, and film are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.