Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH make a median of $52,000 a year, or about $25 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $48,028 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 86.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $52K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level camera operators, television, video, and films (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $102K | +48% | 5,520 |
| District of Columbia | $101K | +47% | 310 |
| Oregon | $94K | +36% | 290 |
| New York | $90K | +31% | 3,510 |
| New Jersey | $86K | +24% | 440 |
| Illinois | $83K | +21% | 870 |
| Arizona | $75K | +9% | 630 |
| Virginia | $72K | +4% | 510 |
| Maryland | $68K | -2% | 270 |
| Ohio | $67K | -3% | 500 |
| Texas | $64K | -6% | 1,530 |
| Connecticut | $64K | -7% | 230 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -10% | 300 |
| Georgia | $62K | -11% | 340 |
| Nevada | $61K | -11% | 410 |
| Florida | $61K | -11% | 1,770 |
| South Carolina | $60K | -13% | 90 |
| Louisiana | $59K | -14% | 270 |
| Missouri | $58K | -16% | 220 |
| Idaho | $57K | -17% | N/A |
| Indiana | $57K | -17% | 190 |
| Tennessee | $57K | -18% | 440 |
| Mississippi | $56K | -19% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $55K | -20% | 300 |
| Michigan | $55K | -20% | 440 |
| Washington | $53K | -22% | 630 |
| Pennsylvania | $51K | -26% | 670 |
| Massachusetts | $50K | -28% | 440 |
| New Hampshire | $49K | -29% | 70 |
| North Dakota | $48K | -30% | 50 |
| Vermont | $48K | -30% | 110 |
| Iowa | $48K | -30% | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $47K | -32% | 320 |
| Utah | $47K | -32% | 400 |
| Kansas | $46K | -32% | 120 |
| New Mexico | $46K | -33% | 420 |
| Kentucky | $46K | -33% | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $45K | -34% | 250 |
| Alabama | $45K | -34% | 120 |
| Hawaii | $42K | -39% | 110 |
| West Virginia | $39K | -43% | 70 |
| South Dakota | $39K | -43% | 50 |
| Nebraska | $39K | -43% | 110 |
| Maine | $36K | -48% | 70 |
| Montana | $35K | -49% | 130 |
| Arkansas | $33K | -53% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track camera operators, television, video, and film salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do camera operators, television, video, and films make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $52,000 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,720, and experienced camera operators, television, video, and films can clear $97,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,435/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 85.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a camera operators, television, video, and film salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median camera operators, television, video, and film salary is worth about $48,028 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do camera operators, television, video, and films get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.