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The differences between videographers and camera operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a videographer has an average salary of $43,620, which is higher than the $43,609 average annual salary of a camera operator.
The top three skills for a videographer include training videos, video production and video content. The most important skills for a camera operator are video production, camera equipment, and camera operation.
| Videographer | Camera Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $43,620 | $43,609 |
| Hourly rate | $20.97 | $20.97 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 1,267 | 26,006 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A videographer specializes in shooting and editing high-definition videos of different events, making them presentable to clients. They are primarily responsible for having their video equipment, coordinating with clients to learn any preferences or particular requests, capturing and recording from the best angle, and producing results quickly and accurately. Most of the time, a videographer may travel to different places, direct clients on what to do during filming, and edit any obstructions to produce an optimal result. Furthermore, it is essential to build rapport with clients to establish a client base and earn more projects.
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.
Videographers and camera operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Videographer | Camera Operator | |
| Average salary | $43,620 | $43,609 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $25,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Yahoo | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a videographer and a camera operator in terms of educational background:
| Videographer | Camera Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Photography | Photography |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between videographers' and camera operators' demographics:
| Videographer | Camera Operator | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.1% Female, 23.9% | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 5.1% 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% |