The median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and motion picture was $49,080 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,070, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $105,120.
The median annual wage for film and video editors was $61,750 in May 2015.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $155,840.
Work hours vary for the different types of operators and editors, although most work full time. Those who work in broadcasting may put in long hours to meet a deadline. Those who work in the motion picture industry may have long, irregular hours while filming, but go through a period of looking for work once a film is complete and before they are hired for their next job.
Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators
Median annual wages, May 2015
Film and video editors
$61,750
Film and video editors and camera operators
$55,740
Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture
$49,080
Media and communication equipment workers
$43,480
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics