Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between camera operators and freelance videographer/editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freelance videographer/editor has an average salary of $48,481, 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 videographer/editor are training videos, video content, and video production.
| Camera Operator | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $43,609 | $48,481 |
| Hourly rate | $20.97 | $23.31 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 26,006 | 5,409 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.
Camera operators and freelance videographer/editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Camera Operator | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Average salary | $43,609 | $48,481 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $74,000 | Between $34,000 And $67,000 |
| 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 videographer/editor in terms of educational background:
| Camera Operator | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Photography | Photography |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | New York University |
Here are the differences between camera operators' and freelance videographer/editors' demographics:
| Camera Operator | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% |
| 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, 17.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |