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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

Part of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, in the Journalism and Broadcasting pathway.

Job zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 27-4031.00

What the work is

Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.

On a typical day

  • Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
  • 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 zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
  • Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
  • 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.

What it pays

$64,490
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $39,810
Experienced workers reach $132,950
  1. $40k10th
  2. $49k25th
  3. $64kMedian
  4. $78k75th
  5. $133k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $39,810, 25th $49,200, Median $64,490, 75th $78,090, 90th $132,950

About 60 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+19.5%

employment change in the Alamo region, 123 to 147 jobs · U.S. +1%

12

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 2,900

123

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 36,400

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Active Listening3.3
  2. Coordination3.8
  3. Reading Comprehension3.3
  4. Speaking3.1
  5. Judgment and Decision Making3.1
  6. Critical Thinking3.5
  7. Monitoring3.1
  8. Social Perceptiveness3.1

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less18%
  2. Some college15%
  3. Associate degree61%
  4. Bachelor's degree7%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northwest Vista
  • San Antonio
  1. Digital Video & Cinema Production

    Degree · Certificate · Creative & Communication Arts

  2. Radio-TV-Film

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

Apply to Alamo Colleges

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