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The differences between camera operators and cinematographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cinematographer has an average salary of $72,245, 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 a cinematographer are video production, cinema, and music videos.
| Camera Operator | Cinematographer | |
| Yearly salary | $43,609 | $72,245 |
| Hourly rate | $20.97 | $34.73 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 26,006 | 5,748 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Camera operators and cinematographers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Camera Operator | Cinematographer | |
| Average salary | $43,609 | $72,245 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $74,000 | Between $43,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | - |
| Highest paying state | New York | - |
| Best paying company | Apple | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a camera operator and a cinematographer in terms of educational background:
| Camera Operator | Cinematographer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Photography | Photography |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between camera operators' and cinematographers' demographics:
| Camera Operator | Cinematographer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% | Male, 85.3% Female, 14.7% |
| 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, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |