Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $88,760 +29% vs national
Median hourly $42.67
10th percentile $51,950
90th percentile $123,300
Employed locally 760
National median $68,810

Compare Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,950
    25th
    $62,680
    50th (median)
    $88,760
    75th
    $121,210
    90th
    $123,300

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary vs area income 66% Median Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary is 34% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $103,930
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $102,310
    California $101,610
    District of Columbia $100,940
    Tucson, AZ $99,510
    Rochester, NY $98,020

    Nearby metros — Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $102,310
    California $101,610
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $82,950
    Fresno, CA $80,030
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $79,000
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $75,270

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $98,460
    Coaches and Scouts $47,260
    Producers and Directors $122,210
    Graphic Designers $89,490
    Media and Communication Workers, All Other $99,420
    Editors $99,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in San Francisco, CA is $42.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.94 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salaries?

    The median Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film salary in San Francisco, CA is 29% above the national median of $68,810. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in San Francisco?

    Entry-level Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film (10th percentile) earn around $51,950 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,680.