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Camera operator vs news producer

The differences between camera operators and news producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a news producer has an average salary of $54,608, 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 news producer are assignment desk, control room, and story development.

Camera operator vs news producer overview

Camera OperatorNews Producer
Yearly salary$43,609$54,608
Hourly rate$20.97$26.25
Growth rate12%8%
Number of jobs26,00611,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 90%
Average age3740
Years of experience-12

What does a camera operator do?

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.

What does a news producer do?

A News Producer supervises the editorial content of the news to ensure that news stories are produced and presented to the public in a quality manner. They collaborate with the news director to select and prioritize content to make the broadcast more attractive.

Camera operator vs news producer salary

Camera operators and news producers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Camera OperatorNews Producer
Average salary$43,609$54,608
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $74,000Between $39,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyAppleThe New York Times Company
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between camera operator and news producer education

There are a few differences between a camera operator and a news producer in terms of educational background:

Camera OperatorNews Producer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 90%
Most common majorPhotographyJournalism
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Camera operator vs news producer demographics

Here are the differences between camera operators' and news producers' demographics:

Camera OperatorNews Producer
Average age3740
Gender ratioMale, 77.2% Female, 22.8%Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage10%14%

Differences between camera operator and news producer duties and responsibilities

Camera operator example responsibilities.

  • Set up and operate cameras during basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, and softball games.
  • Work involve studio productions and field shoots doing camera work, control room work, and grip work.
  • Live footage capture at indoor and outdoor events including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse.
  • Operate studio equipment (camera, audio, teleprompter) and assist producers and in-studio guests for live talk shows.
  • Gather camera shots of a variety of sports at school games such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball.
  • Make sure the anchors have the right microphones, IFB, scripts and rundowns.
  • Show more

News producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day completion activities including project planning and QA testing.
  • Produce daily local traffic reports for distribution to local radio and TV stations.
  • Produce TV documentaries that feature issues relate to sociology, psychology, and advertising.
  • Post news articles and web polls to WRGB s website, and update Facebook page.
  • Produce live and record newscasts on ABC and NBC, cut and edit video for newscasts.
  • Post stories and shows to WBAA website and promote through on-air announcements, Facebook posts, and tweets.
  • Show more

Camera operator vs news producer skills

Common camera operator skills
  • Video Production, 24%
  • Camera Equipment, 13%
  • Camera Operation, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%
  • CCTV, 4%
  • Live Broadcasts, 4%
Common news producer skills
  • Assignment Desk, 10%
  • Control Room, 9%
  • Story Development, 8%
  • Social Media Sites, 8%
  • Local News, 6%
  • ABC, 6%

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