Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ make a median of $89,960 a year, or about $43.25 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.56), so that salary is closer to $79,922 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,910/month — about 51.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $90K get you in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
About camera operators, television, video, and films
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Entry-level camera operators, television, video, and films (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $90K.Top earners bring in $126K or more - a $75K 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 |
| Florida | $61K | -11% | 1,770 |
Track camera operators, television, video, and film salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York-Newark-Jersey City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do camera operators, television, video, and films make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median is $89,960 a year - that works out to about $43.25 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,330, and experienced camera operators, television, video, and films can clear $126,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $90K enough to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,610/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,910/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 51.9% 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City?
New York-Newark-Jersey City has a Regional Price Parity of 112.56 (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 $79,922 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.