Careers · Explore one path
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
Other titles employers use
Camera Operator · Cameraman · Master Control Operator (MCO) · News Videographer · Production Technician · Studio Camera Operator · Television News Photographer · Videographer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
- Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements.
- Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
- Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, practical and organizing work.
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Communications and Media
- Telecommunications
Useful strengths
- Visualization
- Near Vision
- Far Vision
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.7 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.1 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.5 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A two-year degree 61%
- High school or less 18%
- A certificate or some college 14%
- A four-year degree 7%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Video creation and editing software
- Document management software
- Desktop publishing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 10,000
- Job openings each year
- 880
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 5.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 10,000 | 880 | 5.3% |
| Florida | 2,570 | 230 | 5.3% |
| New York | 2,300 | 0 | — |
| Texas | 1,930 | 170 | 4.9% |
| New Jersey | 1,530 | 120 | −11.6% |
| Arizona | 1,060 | 100 | 12.8% |
| Washington | 900 | 90 | 13.9% |
| Georgia | 880 | 80 | 11.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 790 | 70 | −1.3% |
| Connecticut | 780 | 70 | 9.9% |
| Tennessee | 760 | 70 | 24.6% |
| Michigan | 730 | 60 | −2.7% |
| North Carolina | 720 | 60 | 7.5% |
| Oregon | 720 | 70 | 14.3% |
| Utah | 680 | 70 | 23.6% |
| Virginia | 670 | 60 | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 600 | 50 | 1.7% |
| District of Columbia | 500 | 50 | 13.6% |
| Louisiana | 500 | 40 | −2.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 460 | 40 | 21.1% |
| Minnesota | 450 | 40 | 4.7% |
| Massachusetts | 430 | 40 | 4.9% |
| New Mexico | 420 | 40 | 27.3% |
| Ohio | 420 | 30 | −2.3% |
| Alabama | 410 | 40 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 410 | 40 | 2.5% |
| Wisconsin | 400 | 30 | −7.0% |
| Indiana | 390 | 30 | 2.6% |
| Kentucky | 360 | 30 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 350 | 30 | 2.9% |
| Missouri | 340 | 30 | — |
| Vermont | 320 | 30 | — |
| Kansas | 290 | 20 | −9.4% |
| Nevada | 280 | 30 | 16.7% |
| Iowa | 250 | 20 | 13.6% |
| South Carolina | 220 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Nebraska | 190 | 20 | 5.6% |
| Montana | 180 | 20 | 5.9% |
| Maine | 150 | 10 | −6.3% |
| Oklahoma | 130 | 10 | — |
| Arkansas | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Idaho | 100 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 80 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 80 | 10 | — |
| South Dakota | 60 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 50 | 0 | — |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 0 | — |
| Delaware | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
New York University
- Degrees each year
- 446
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 395
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
Emerson College
- Degrees each year
- 298
- Admit rate
- 47%
- Annual cost after aid
- $42,000
Georgia State University
- Degrees each year
- 266
- Admit rate
- 62%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
DePaul University
- Degrees each year
- 239
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $29,000
California State University-Long Beach
- Degrees each year
- 220
- Admit rate
- 47%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
San Francisco State University
- Degrees each year
- 195
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of California-Riverside
- Degrees each year
- 190
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Compare every college offering audiovisual communications technologies/technicians