Heavy media operator vs camera operator

The differences between heavy media operators and camera operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a heavy media operator has an average salary of $49,684, which is higher than the $43,609 average annual salary of a camera operator.

The top three skills for a heavy media operator include video signals, ingest and master control. The most important skills for a camera operator are video production, camera equipment, and camera operation.

Heavy media operator vs camera operator overview

	Heavy Media Operator	Camera Operator
Yearly salary	$49,684	$43,609
Hourly rate	$23.89	$20.97
Growth rate	10%	12%
Number of jobs	37,589	26,006
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	42	37
Years of experience	-	-

Heavy media operator vs camera operator salary

Heavy media operators and camera operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Media Operator	Camera Operator
Average salary	$49,684	$43,609
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $76,000	Between $25,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Apple
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between heavy media operator and camera operator education

There are a few differences between a heavy media operator and a camera operator in terms of educational background:

	Heavy Media Operator	Camera Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Communication	Photography
Most common college	-	Johns Hopkins University

Heavy media operator vs camera operator demographics

Here are the differences between heavy media operators' and camera operators' demographics:

	Heavy Media Operator	Camera Operator
Average age	42	37
Gender ratio	Male, 69.6% Female, 30.4%	Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 1.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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 Percentage	8%	10%

Differences between heavy media operator and camera operator duties and responsibilities

Heavy media operator example responsibilities.

Lead false-positive team to identify and resolve network service issues and produce a manual for outsource providers to troubleshoot technical issues.
Operate the administrative and technical aspects of a video teleconferencing center for clients ranging from civilian executives to four-star generals.
Duplicate DVDs, CDs, and cassette tapes of conference recordings for retail purposes.

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.

Heavy media operator vs camera operator skills

Common heavy media operator skills

Video Signals, 24%
Ingest, 15%
Master Control, 10%
Broadcast Equipment, 10%
News Stories, 6%
QC, 6%

Common camera operator skills

Video Production, 24%
Camera Equipment, 13%
Camera Operation, 7%
Audio Equipment, 5%
CCTV, 4%
Live Broadcasts, 4%