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The differences between video specialists and camera operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a video specialist has an average salary of $53,491, which is higher than the $43,609 average annual salary of a camera operator.
The top three skills for a video specialist include video production, video content and video equipment. The most important skills for a camera operator are video production, camera equipment, and camera operation.
| Video Specialist | Camera Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $53,491 | $43,609 |
| Hourly rate | $25.72 | $20.97 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 26,146 | 26,006 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A video specialist is largely tasked with the responsibility of editing raw video materials into refined products that are broadcast-worthy. These raw materials may consist of already available camera footage, sound effects, dialogue between characters, and special graphics, or video effects. They are also responsible for recording and capturing video, editing footage, and producing studio-quality pictures and videos for diverse purposes.
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 specialists and camera operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Specialist | Camera Operator | |
| Average salary | $53,491 | $43,609 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $76,000 | Between $25,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | New York |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Education |
There are a few differences between a video specialist and a camera operator in terms of educational background:
| Video Specialist | Camera Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between video specialists' and camera operators' demographics:
| Video Specialist | Camera Operator | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 62.3% 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% |