How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do camera operators, television, video, and film make?

The US median is $74,990 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

363 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Camera operators, television, video, and film: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Arts, design, media & film · SOC 27-4031

$74,990US median pay, 2025

+1.3%Projected growth, 2025–35

2,500Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work in: camera operators, television, video, and film

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Cinematography and Film/Video Production	CIP 50.0602	274
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician	CIP 10.0202	85
Documentary Production	CIP 50.0607	14
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other	CIP 10.0299	13

See the 363 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do camera operators, television, video, and film make?: The US median is $74,990 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 363 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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