How To Become A Camera Operator/Production Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a camera operator/production assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a camera operator/production assistant. For example, did you know that they make an average of $19.88 an hour? That's $41,349 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 9,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreCamera Operator/Production AssistantUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $41,349

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.7

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.25%

Asian 7.04%

Black or African American 6.56%

Hispanic or Latino 17.76%

Unknown 5.23%

White 63.16%

Gender

female 22.06%

male 77.94%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress level

7.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a camera operator/production assistant

Explore camera operator/production assistant education requirements

Most common camera operator/production assistant degrees

Bachelor's

70.7 %

Associate

18.6 %

High School Diploma

4.8 %

Start to develop specific camera operator/production assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Video Production	17.66%
Audio Equipment	12.56%
Grip	6.77%
Camera Operators	5.98%
Live Broadcasts	4.31%

Complete relevant camera operator/production assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New camera operators/production assistant learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a camera operator/production assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real camera operator/production assistant resumes.

Research camera operator/production assistant duties and responsibilities

Help manage Instagram by posting relevant pictures, articles that relate to upcoming episodes
Operate many HD and SD broadcast cameras.
Operate a DSLR and work with a small production team to film a snowboard and skiing rail jam competition.
Duplicate CD's and DVD's of both the sermons and recitals for distribution to those in attendance of the conference.

Prepare your camera operator/production assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your camera operator/production assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a camera operator/production assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable camera operator/production assistant resume templates

Build a professional camera operator/production assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your camera operator/production assistant resume.