Camera Operator salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A camera operator earns a median of $74,990 a year ($36.05 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $83,210. About 21,550 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $74,990
- Gross pay
- $2,884.23
- Federal income tax
- −$294.92
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$178.82
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$41.82
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,368.67
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $74,990
- Federal
- $7,668
- FICA
- $5,737
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $61,585
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Public Relations Specialist: $74,750
- Set and Exhibit Designer: $75,240
- Film and Video Editor: $75,420
- Music Director and Composer: $73,710
- Media and Communication Worker: $73,620
- Sound Engineering Technician: $73,130
- Writer and Author: $76,910
- Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner: $72,420
BLS occupation: Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 27-4031). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a camera operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $36.05; the average is $40.01.
What is the salary range for a camera operator?
The bottom 10% earn under $38,520 and the top 10% earn over $135,180 a year.
How much is $74,990 after taxes?
About $61,585 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $57,837 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.