Best cities for a camera operator
The best cities for camera operators are Corpus Christi, TX, San Antonio, TX, and El Paso, TX, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for camera operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for camera operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a camera operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for camera operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for camera operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a camera operator. While the absolute best city for camera operators is Corpus Christi, TX, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for camera operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a camera operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for camera operators in 2026
1. Corpus Christi, TX
Total camera operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $55,070 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. San Antonio, TX
Total camera operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,838 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. El Paso, TX
Total camera operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $55,861 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Austin, TX
Total camera operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,446 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. New York, NY
Total camera operator jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $63,756 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $138,000 Location quotient: 1.63 6. Laredo, TX
Total camera operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $55,610 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Las Vegas, NV
Total camera operator jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $52,491 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $88,000 Location quotient: 9.09 8. Reno, NV
Total camera operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,607 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Detroit, MI
Total camera operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $51,802 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location quotient: 3.38 10. Houston, TX
Total camera operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,029 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for camera operators
- Corpus Christi, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Austin, TX
- New York, NY
- Laredo, TX
- Las Vegas, NV
- Reno, NV
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
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Detailed list of the best cities for a camera operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corpus Christi, TX | $55,070 | $31,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $54,838 | $31,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 3 | El Paso, TX | $55,861 | $33,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 4 | Austin, TX | $54,446 | $31,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 5 | New York, NY | $63,756 | $29,000 | 8,537,673 | 15 |
| 6 | Laredo, TX | $55,610 | $32,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $52,491 | $31,000 | 632,912 | 6 |
| 8 | Reno, NV | $54,607 | $32,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $51,802 | $26,000 | 672,795 | 2 |
| 10 | Houston, TX | $54,029 | $31,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 11 | Dallas, TX | $53,037 | $31,000 | 1,317,929 | 2 |
| 12 | Fort Worth, TX | $53,225 | $31,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 13 | Hempstead, NY | $63,733 | $29,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 14 | Albuquerque, NM | $54,608 | $33,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 15 | Arlington, TX | $53,174 | $31,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 16 | Islip, NY | $63,403 | $28,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 17 | Irving, TX | $53,044 | $31,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 18 | Oyster Bay, NY | $63,312 | $28,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 19 | Garland, TX | $52,890 | $31,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 20 | Plano, TX | $52,838 | $31,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 21 | Brookhaven, NY | $62,968 | $28,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 22 | Lubbock, TX | $53,973 | $32,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 23 | San Francisco, CA | $63,304 | $36,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 24 | Oakland, CA | $63,170 | $36,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 25 | Fremont, CA | $63,087 | $36,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 26 | San Jose, CA | $63,084 | $36,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 27 | North Las Vegas, NV | $52,282 | $30,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 28 | Henderson, NV | $52,190 | $30,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 29 | Stockton, CA | $62,469 | $36,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 30 | Sacramento, CA | $62,218 | $36,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 31 | Fresno, CA | $61,839 | $36,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 32 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,822 | $35,000 | 3,976,322 | 2 |
| 33 | Bakersfield, CA | $61,232 | $35,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 34 | Buffalo, NY | $58,908 | $27,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 35 | Long Beach, CA | $59,345 | $35,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 36 | Anaheim, CA | $59,184 | $35,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 37 | Cleveland, OH | $42,974 | $22,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 38 | Philadelphia, PA | $42,760 | $20,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 39 | Santa Ana, CA | $59,030 | $35,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 40 | Irvine, CA | $58,854 | $35,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 41 | Anchorage, AK | $49,096 | $31,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 42 | Columbus, OH | $42,579 | $22,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 43 | Toledo, OH | $42,299 | $22,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 44 | Cincinnati, OH | $41,372 | $22,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 45 | Riverside, CA | $58,808 | $34,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 46 | San Diego, CA | $57,075 | $34,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 47 | Lexington, KY | $41,106 | $22,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 48 | Chula Vista, CA | $56,764 | $34,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 49 | Louisville, KY | $40,945 | $22,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 50 | Pittsburgh, PA | $39,838 | $20,000 | 303,625 | - |
Highest paying cities for camera operators
| Rank | City | Avg. camera operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $63,756 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,822 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $53,037 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $52,491 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $51,802 |
| 6 | Rogers, AR | $50,745 |
| 7 | Annapolis, MD | $48,088 |
| 8 | Jersey City, NJ | $46,172 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $44,593 |
| 10 | Auburn, WA | $44,433 |
| 11 | Manheim, PA | $42,457 |
| 12 | Hamilton, OH | $41,542 |
| 13 | Joplin, MO | $40,986 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $40,805 |
| 15 | Rock Hill, SC | $40,720 |
| 16 | Sioux City, IA | $40,484 |
| 17 | Norfolk, VA | $40,446 |
| 18 | Miami, FL | $40,186 |
| 19 | Dover, NH | $39,595 |
| 20 | Washington, DC | $38,673 |
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Updated January 8, 2025