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What is a news camera operator 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 news camera operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $37.44 an hour? That's $77,873 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 9,600 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreNews Camera OperatorUS Average
Salary
6.1

Avg. Salary $77,873

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 5.37%

Black or African American 6.87%

Hispanic or Latino 18.66%

Unknown 5.27%

White 63.59%

Gender

female 36.00%

male 64.00%

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 news camera operator

  1. Explore news camera operator education requirements

    Most common news camera operator degrees

    Bachelor's

    75.9 %

    Associate

    14.8 %

    Diploma

    3.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific news camera operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Video Packages47.54%
    News Stories21.38%
    Live Broadcasts16.83%
    Audio Operators14.25%
  3. Complete relevant news camera operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New news camera operators 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 news camera operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real news camera operator resumes.
  4. Research news camera operator duties and responsibilities

    • Coordinate with other camera operators and photography director to ensure professional video footage.
    • Mail tapes, progress reports, production notes and footage to MTV's NY office.
  5. Prepare your news camera operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your news camera operator 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 news camera operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable news camera operator resume templates

    Build a professional news camera operator 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 news camera operator resume.
    News Camera Operator Resume
    News Camera Operator Resume
    News Camera Operator Resume
    News Camera Operator Resume
    News Camera Operator Resume
    News Camera Operator Resume
    News Camera Operator Resume
    News Camera Operator Resume
    News Camera Operator Resume
  6. Apply for news camera operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a news camera operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first news camera operator job

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Average news camera operator salary

The average news camera operator salary in the United States is $77,873 per year or $37 per hour. News camera operator salaries range between $50,000 and $119,000 per year.

Average news camera operator salary
$77,873 Yearly
$37.44 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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