Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in Illinois
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in Illinois earn a median of $100,170 a year ($48.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,940 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $74,990. Illinois ranks 2nd of 46 states for camera operators, television, video, and film pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.17 camera operators, television, video, and film per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,520, close to the median.
Pay range for camera operators, television, video, and film in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,840 | $18.68 |
| 25th percentile | $69,900 | $33.60 |
| Median | $100,170 | $48.16 |
| 75th percentile | $126,860 | $60.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,940 | $64.40 |
| Average (mean) | $96,520 | $46.41 |
Half of camera operators, television, video, and film earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,347.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,173.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,852.69 |
| Weekly | $1,926.35 |
| Hourly | $48.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,370 | 740 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $71,360 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for camera operators, television, video, and film
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $106,900 |
| Illinois | $100,170 |
| District of Columbia | $98,300 |
| New York | $93,410 |
| Georgia | $85,050 |
| Alaska | $83,620 |
| Colorado | $74,990 |
| Utah | $73,450 |
| Arizona | $68,250 |
| Maryland | $65,870 |
See Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Photographer | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Broadcast Technician | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Film and Video Editors | $72,460 | $34.84 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $72,430 | $34.82 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a camera operators, television, video, and film make in Illinois?
The median salary for camera operators, television, video, and film in Illinois is $100,170 a year, or $48.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid camera operators, television, video, and film make in Illinois?
The top 10% of camera operators, television, video, and film in Illinois earn at least $133,940 a year. The top 25% earn $126,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for camera operators, television, video, and film in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,840 a year, and a quarter of camera operators, television, video, and film earn $69,900 or less.
How many camera operators, television, video, and film work in Illinois?
About 1,060 camera operators, television, video, and film are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.