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The differences between video production assistants and camera operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a camera operator has an average salary of $43,609, which is higher than the $33,779 average annual salary of a video production assistant.
The top three skills for a video production assistant include video production, audio equipment and video content. The most important skills for a camera operator are video production, camera equipment, and camera operation.
| Video Production Assistant | Camera Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,779 | $43,609 |
| Hourly rate | $16.24 | $20.97 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 58,432 | 26,006 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A video production assistant's job is to help the producer in any way possible. They are tasked with setting up meetings and auditions and may even be in charge of interns. They may be responsible for gathering reference materials and clips and determining which issues should be shown to a producer. They may also be in charge of shuffling crews or video recording and other equipment.
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 production assistants and camera operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Production Assistant | Camera Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,779 | $43,609 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $54,000 | 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 |
There are a few differences between a video production assistant and a camera operator in terms of educational background:
| Video Production Assistant | Camera Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between video production assistants' and camera operators' demographics:
| Video Production Assistant | Camera Operator | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.8% Female, 30.2% | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 5.2% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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% |