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The differences between video journalists and camera operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a video journalist has an average salary of $68,280, which is higher than the $43,609 average annual salary of a camera operator.
The top three skills for a video journalist include story development, adobe premiere and video content. The most important skills for a camera operator are video production, camera equipment, and camera operation.
| Video Journalist | Camera Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $68,280 | $43,609 |
| Hourly rate | $32.83 | $20.97 |
| Growth rate | -10% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 7,141 | 26,006 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 40 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
Video journalists make videos conveying the news and factual stories for the audiences. Their day-to-day duties may vary but typically include editing, researching, and reporting, developing and planning live or taped video segments, and compiling data from various sources. In addition, a video journalist is responsible for verifying facts, interviewing subjects, and cultivating relationships and sources. Other duties that a video journalist might perform include on-the-spot reporting, anchoring a newscast, and producing content, and taking photos.
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.
Video journalists and camera operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Journalist | Camera Operator | |
| Average salary | $68,280 | $43,609 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $112,000 | Between $25,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | The New York Times Company | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Media | Education |
There are a few differences between a video journalist and a camera operator in terms of educational background:
| Video Journalist | Camera Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between video journalists' and camera operators' demographics:
| Video Journalist | Camera Operator | |
| Average age | 40 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.5% Female, 35.5% | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 10% | 10% |