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Camera assistant vs camera operator

The differences between camera assistants and camera operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a camera assistant has an average salary of $77,863, which is higher than the $43,609 average annual salary of a camera operator.

The top three skills for a camera assistant include photography, music videos and production equipment. The most important skills for a camera operator are video production, camera equipment, and camera operation.

Camera assistant vs camera operator overview

Camera AssistantCamera Operator
Yearly salary$77,863$43,609
Hourly rate$37.43$20.97
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs24026,006
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4637
Years of experience6-

Camera assistant vs camera operator salary

Camera assistants and camera operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Camera AssistantCamera Operator
Average salary$77,863$43,609
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $121,000Between $25,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between camera assistant and camera operator education

There are a few differences between a camera assistant and a camera operator in terms of educational background:

Camera AssistantCamera Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeStanford UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Camera assistant vs camera operator demographics

Here are the differences between camera assistants' and camera operators' demographics:

Camera AssistantCamera Operator
Average age4637
Gender ratioMale, 75.3% Female, 24.7%Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.0% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage9%10%

Differences between camera assistant and camera operator duties and responsibilities

Camera assistant example responsibilities.

  • Maintain camera accessories including lens, batteries, tripods and dollies.
  • Work within the camera department on various independent projects which include feature films, shortfilms, music videos and documentaries.
  • Develop knowledge of DSLR photography and advance picture editing.
  • Act as second camera for b-roll.
  • Operate camera and additional equipment such as dollies, cranes, etc.
  • Solder and splice wiring, drill mounting holes and install GPS antennas.
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Camera operator example responsibilities.

  • Set up and operate cameras during basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, and softball games.
  • Work involve studio productions and field shoots doing camera work, control room work, and grip work.
  • Live footage capture at indoor and outdoor events including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse.
  • Operate studio equipment (camera, audio, teleprompter) and assist producers and in-studio guests for live talk shows.
  • Gather camera shots of a variety of sports at school games such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball.
  • Make sure the anchors have the right microphones, IFB, scripts and rundowns.
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Camera assistant vs camera operator skills

Common camera assistant skills
  • Photography, 15%
  • Music Videos, 15%
  • Production Equipment, 14%
  • Camera Equipment, 11%
  • DP, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%
Common camera operator skills
  • Video Production, 24%
  • Camera Equipment, 13%
  • Camera Operation, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%
  • CCTV, 4%
  • Live Broadcasts, 4%

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