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The differences between camera operators and associate producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an associate producer has an average salary of $47,279, which is higher than the $43,609 average annual salary of a camera operator.
The top three skills for a camera operator include video production, camera equipment and camera operation. The most important skills for an associate producer are customer service, video content, and sales floor.
| Camera Operator | Associate Producer | |
| Yearly salary | $43,609 | $47,279 |
| Hourly rate | $20.97 | $22.73 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 26,006 | 9,295 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 37 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
A camera operator is responsible for operating various technical equipment to support technical operations, such as media productions and live events. Camera operators must have extensive knowledge of different camera features to select the appropriate device and manage the production's overall visual presentation. They also deliver the perfect footage on different angles for easy editing techniques alongside the technical crews and director's supervision. A camera operator should be communicative, as well as having excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills to adhere to the demands of production and schedules.
An associate producer is an entry-level one position in the television and film industry who assists senior producers in putting a TV program or film together. Associate producers are required to write, edit, and organize scripts and run a teleprompter in newscasts. Most of the assistant producers are required to obtain a bachelor's degree and become editors, writers, or actors to gain experience in television and film. Associate producers are also often assigned to tasks with operational duties such as generating financial reports or status updates.
Camera operators and associate producers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Camera Operator | Associate Producer | |
| Average salary | $43,609 | $47,279 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $74,000 | Between $31,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Education | Media |
There are a few differences between a camera operator and an associate producer in terms of educational background:
| Camera Operator | Associate Producer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Photography | Communication |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between camera operators' and associate producers' demographics:
| Camera Operator | Associate Producer | |
| Average age | 37 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 14% |