Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,910
- 25th Percentile — Junior$76,060
- 50th Percentile — Median$106,900
- 75th Percentile — Senior$130,960
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$154,240
Half of Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture in California earn more than $106,900. The top 10% make $154,240 or more, while entry-level workers start around $53,910.
Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 46 states for Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture pay, at $106,350 per year (27.8% above the U.S. average of $83,210).
- 4,700 people work as Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture in California — 21.8% of all U.S. Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture jobs.
- Location quotient 1.86: Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,910; the top 10% earn over $154,240.
- Hourly equivalent: $51.13 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among creative jobs in California, Art Directors pays the most ($156,060).
Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture here earn $106,350 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $106,350 is roughly equivalent to $74,894 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($100,990), New York ($99,080), Georgia ($97,600) are the closest alternatives for Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Creative Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $156,060/yr California +46.7% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $155,750/yr California +46.5% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $134,360/yr California +26.3% vs this role
- Editors $111,810/yr California +5.1% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $106,560/yr California +0.2% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $97,140/yr California 8.7% vs this role
- Interior Designers $89,740/yr California 15.6% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $86,800/yr California 18.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture salary in California?
The average Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture salary in California is $106,350 per year (median $106,900), which is 27.8% above the national average of $83,210.
How does California rank for Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture pay?
California ranks 1st out of 46 states. The highest-paying state is California ($106,350/yr).
How much do entry-level Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture in California earn about $53,910 per year and the 25th percentile is $76,060.
How much do Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture make per hour in California?
About $51.13 per hour, based on the $106,350 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture work in California?
BLS counts 4,700 Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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