The film and television industry is driven by consumer spending and their willingness to dedicate their leisure time to visual entertainment. If you’re interested in joining this industry in a hands-on role, you might want to learn how to become a camera operator.

Camera operators are hired by cable companies, video production houses, and film companies because of their proficiency in operating technical filmmaking equipment.

The guide below will give you all the details you need to launch your career as a camera operator, including the education path you should follow and the salary you can expect.

Find Your Bootcamp Match

• Career Karma matches you with top tech bootcamps
• Access exclusive scholarships and prep courses

Select your interest
Software Engineering Design Data Science Data Analytics UX Design Cyber Security Digital Marketing First name

Last name

Email

Phone number

By continuing you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and you consent to receive offers and opportunities from Career Karma by telephone, text message, and email.

Camera operators are responsible for operating a handful of camera-related technical equipment, including portable cameras, electronic cameras, and mobile mounts. As the market for movies and videos grows, so does the demand for camera operators.

These professionals may work on film sets or TV production sets, or record live broadcasts. In the past year, demand for these positions has grown as viewers’ demand for new TV and film content increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most production companies prefer to hire camera operators who have a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting or Film. At the very least, students must have an associate degree or a certification showing that they have completed a formal program to become a camera operator.

Even if you have a Bachelor’s Degree in Film, it is still important to get experience. Since film is a broad area of study, you will need to spend time specifically learning how to use a camera. To do this, camera operators must acquire training after completing their degree, perhaps in the form of an internship.

To learn how to handle camera equipment at a professional level, you should get a formal education so you can start learning about the entertainment industry. Below are several education paths you can choose from as an aspiring camera operator.

Unlike regular universities, community colleges offer associate degrees that take two years to complete. They are also usually more affordable than obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Many online colleges offer courses in digital camera operation, film editing, post-production, lighting, and cinematography.

Most employers are looking to hire candidates who have a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies, Television, Video Production, Fine Arts, or Cinematic Art.

In these four-year programs, you will learn sound editing, broadcasting, visual storytelling, and directing. You will also create your own videos, working with a team. This will give you a chance to try out many roles, from filming to writing to directing.

Many of these programs set students up with internship opportunities, thereby bucking the trend of universities failing to prepare students for the workforce.

If you aren’t interested in getting a degree, you should at least sign up for a few short camera operator courses. You can find a wide variety of relevant courses on massive open online course (MOOC) providers such as Coursera.

Most of these classes are self-paced and can be completed in a matter of weeks. In a typical camera operator class, you might learn about media production, camera operation, studio production, and Adobe creative skills.

The best way to become a camera operator is by going to a film school or university to acquire technical skills. Alternatively, you might be able to land an apprenticeship after completing a two-year associate degree in film studies.

There are several pathways that you could follow. Below, we’ll go over the most popular route to starting your career.

Although camera operators must have a set of basic skills, their tasks will vary depending on their employer and the type of TV show or films they work on. Below are key skills that all camera operators should have.

A camera operator’s annual salary will vary depending on their field, location, and position. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), camera operators earn an average annual salary of $61,900.

The need for these professionals in the US has significantly increased over the past few years. A BLS report predicted that there will be an 18 percent increase in the demand for camera operators by 2029.

Entry-level requirements for a camera operator job will vary, but most employers want to see a Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography. They will also be looking for professional experience operating video cameras, and experience with film editing software.

A camera operator performs many duties, including setting up equipment, planning shots, and recording scenes. Below are some important tasks that camera operators carry out on a daily basis.

Although having a certification isn’t mandatory to become a camera operator, you should consider getting one if you want to expand your job opportunities. Below are some professional certification programs you should look into.

There are many benefits to having an Avid Certified Professional: Media Composer certification. It will help you qualify for promotions and other job opportunities, especially if you are interested in assisting with post-production. To earn this title, you will need to complete two courses on Avid programs, and pass an exam.

The Certified Legal Video Specialist qualification is designed for videographers who want to learn how to film legal depositions. This is a very specialized certification that is meant to uphold the integrity and standards of how legal videos are filmed, and how they are used both inside and outside of courtroom proceedings.

This certification is designed to showcase proficiency in broadcast engineering. Although it’s intended mostly for broadcast technicians, camera operators can also benefit from this program. That’s because it also covers the process of setting up, operating, and maintaining equipment used in broadcasting.

To get this title, you’ll need to have at least 10 years of experience in broadcast engineering or a related field.

The best way to get ready for an interview is by practicing. Below are some of the most frequently asked interview questions that you should review to help you ace your job interview.

The timeline to becoming a camera operator will vary depending on what type of education you want to get. Obtaining a four-year bachelor’s degree is the most popular route. Regardless of the education you choose, it will take you two to four years to become a professional camera operator in the US.

Becoming a camera operator in 2021 is an excellent idea. Apart from the decent salary, there is also expected to be a huge increase in the number of job openings in this career in the coming years.

If you have an eye for video and film and are passionate about the entertainment industry, 2021 is a great time to become a camera operator. Once you start working and can specialize in a particular area of the TV or movie industry, you’ll become even more marketable in today’s workplace.