Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary in Tucson, AZ
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films in Tucson, AZ make a median of $99,510 a year, or about $47.84 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $167K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.9), that's roughly $102,693 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,402/month, or 21.9% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $100K get you in Tucson?
About camera operators, television, video, and films
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tucson, AZ
Entry-level camera operators, television, video, and films (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K.Top earners bring in $167K or more - a $121K 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 Tucson numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do camera operators, television, video, and films make in Tucson, AZ?
The median is $99,510 a year - that works out to about $47.84 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,490, and experienced camera operators, television, video, and films can clear $166,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in Tucson?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,325/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,402/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 22.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a camera operators, television, video, and film salary go in Tucson?
Tucson has a Regional Price Parity of 96.9 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median camera operators, television, video, and film salary is worth about $102,693 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.