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Director of photography vs camera operator

The differences between directors of photography and camera operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director of photography has an average salary of $105,236, which is higher than the $43,609 average annual salary of a camera operator.

The top three skills for a director of photography include video projects, DP and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a camera operator are video production, camera equipment, and camera operation.

Director of photography vs camera operator overview

Director Of PhotographyCamera Operator
Yearly salary$105,236$43,609
Hourly rate$50.59$20.97
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs5,74626,006
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

Director of photography vs camera operator salary

Directors of photography and camera operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of PhotographyCamera Operator
Average salary$105,236$43,609
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $153,000Between $25,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyGap Inc.Apple
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between director of photography and camera operator education

There are a few differences between a director of photography and a camera operator in terms of educational background:

Director Of PhotographyCamera Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Director of photography vs camera operator demographics

Here are the differences between directors of photography' and camera operators' demographics:

Director Of PhotographyCamera Operator
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 79.7% Female, 20.3%Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between director of photography and camera operator duties and responsibilities

Director of photography example responsibilities.

  • Manage all photography assets for a slate of Showtime original series, documentaries and sports programming.
  • Coordinate and manage show production, including budget creation, scriptwriting and booking guest for on camera interviews.
  • Act as the gaffer and grip.
  • Provide services for YouTube album music releases.
  • Organize camera, electrical and grip crews.
  • Direct the gaffer to meet establish lighting strategy.
  • Show more

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

Director of photography vs camera operator skills

Common director of photography skills
  • Video Projects, 28%
  • DP, 20%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Sony, 5%
  • Video Production, 3%
  • Cinematography, 3%
Common camera operator skills
  • Video Production, 24%
  • Camera Equipment, 13%
  • Camera Operation, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%
  • CCTV, 4%
  • Live Broadcasts, 4%

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