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The differences between camera operators and freelance producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freelance producer has an average salary of $62,218, 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 freelance producer are music videos, news stories, and video content.
| Camera Operator | Freelance Producer | |
| Yearly salary | $43,609 | $62,218 |
| Hourly rate | $20.97 | $29.91 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 26,006 | 9,703 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| 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.
The responsibilities of a freelance producer are so broad that they can be tricky to define. Broadly, a freelance producer is responsible for finding, launching, and completing a project. They primarily handle logistics pertaining to the creation of various pieces of content. This content may include television shows, advertisements, or audio/video presentations. They also manage finances, keep the production within the allocated budget, and hire all key staff, crew members, and post-production teams. They may also have to scout for shoot locations.
Camera operators and freelance producers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Camera Operator | Freelance Producer | |
| Average salary | $43,609 | $62,218 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $74,000 | Between $33,000 And $113,000 |
| 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 freelance producer in terms of educational background:
| Camera Operator | Freelance Producer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Photography | Photography |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between camera operators' and freelance producers' demographics:
| Camera Operator | Freelance Producer | |
| Average age | 37 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% |
| 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, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 14% |