How to hire a video operator

How to hire a video operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step video operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a video operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new video operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a video operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect video operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of video operators.

   Type of Video Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Video Operator	Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.	$12-33
   Stage Technician	A stage technician is part of the production and technical side of a stage play performance. The stage technician's job is to work alongside the floor director and the props team in the set up of the stage before a performance and packing it up afterward... Show more	$12-27
   Event Technician	An event technician is someone who ensures that events are held successfully. The event technician handles the audio, video, and other technical aspects of an event... Show more	$10-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Video Equipment
   • Color Correction
   • Audio Visual
   • Live Broadcasts
   • Live Events
   • IP
   • VTC
   • VOD
   • Teleconferencing
   • Video Support
   • Control Room
   • Master Control
   • Safety Equipment
   • ISDN

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage HD camerawork and calculating wireless mic levels.
   • Work with ISDN and IP conferences.
   • Provide hardware/software configuration setup for video conferencing connections using ISDN H320, and IP H323 packet-base infrastructure.
   • Establish, maintain, and troubleshoot video conferences of different security classifications for high-ranking military personnel and government-employ civilians.
   • Operate both ENG and EFP camera equipment in both studio and film environment.
   • Maintain and oversee maintenance of VTC equipment and relate equipment for repairs, replacement and software updates/upgrades.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your video operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A video operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, video operators' average salary in kentucky is 58% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level video operators earn 64% less than senior-level video operators.
   • Certifications. A video operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a video operator's salary.

   Average video operator salary

   $42,335yearly

   $20.35 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level video operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a video operator job description

   A job description for a video operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a video operator job description:

   Video operator job description example

   ROBOTIC CAMERA OPERATOR - NewsNation
   
   Who we are:
   
   NewsNation is a national news cable network currently reaching 75 million television households across the United States. The network is owned and operated by Nexstar Media Group (NXST).
   
   NewsNation is currently searching for a part-time Robotic Camera Operator for our national newscasts, based in our new New York studios, with the opportunity for full-time staff positions as operations expand.
   
   This opportunity is for someone that doesn't mind rolling up their sleeves and do something few have done before - launch a new 24-hour news network.
   
   Responsibilities:
   

   • The successful candidate will be able to listen to director's commands and react swiftly and accurately for correctly positioning and framing shots including the x/y axis and for camera "shading" and color correction for multiple cameras in multiple locations.
   • Must be able to make smooth on-air moves.
   • Candidate should be a problem solver and quick thinker to resolve existing issues and to work around problems that arise during live news broadcasts.
   • Must be proficient with operation of broadcast equipment within assigned area, including programming and troubleshooting the robotics system.
   • May be asked to train others or create training documentation.
   • Be able to communicate and document effectively and concisely to the rest of the team.
   • All day parts (mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays) may be a part of the schedule with overtime as situations demand.

   
   
   Qualifications:
   

   • Five (5) years of experience in professional live broadcast operations (radio/TV/cable) running professional robotic video cameras required.
   • This position requires correct evaluation of picture color and tone. The ability to distinguish colors is critical.
   • You must be detail-oriented and be able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
   • Working knowledge of common business software applications, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
   • Must be self-sufficient and have a "press-on-regardless" attitude.
   • Other engineering/operating experience in areas of Steadicam, audio, or transmission is a plus.
   • Must work well in a collaborative team environment and be able to multitask.
   • Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field preferred.

   
   
   This position is a part-time staff position which will require membership in IBEW.
   
   If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right video operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your video operator job on Zippia to find and recruit video operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit video operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new video operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect video operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new video operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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