Annual Salary
variable
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
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Camera operators record images for film, television, commercials and online.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home
In your day-to-day duties you might:
You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio or on a film set.
Your working environment may be at height, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.
You can get into this job through:
You can take a university course to develop your camera skills before looking for work. Relevant courses include degrees in media production, media technology or photography.
It may give you an advantage if you can find a course that offers practical and work experience opportunities like shadowing, internships or a year placement.
You'll usually need:
You can take a college course like:
You'll usually need:
You could learn some of the skills and knowledge needed from related apprenticeships like a photographic assistant or a camera prep technician advanced apprenticeship.
You may be able to transfer the skills you learn to the TV or film industry when you have experience.
You'll usually need:
You could start out as a camera assistant and learn while you work from an experienced camera operator.
You can get practical experience and build up your contacts through:
You may be able to apply for the Guild of British Camera Technicians' Trainee Scheme which offers training and mentoring by experienced people working in the industry. The application process is very competitive.
You can also do short courses through the National Film and Television School.
You can get more advice about how to become a camera operator from ScreenSkills.
You can find out more about creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
There is not enough data for this job to find employment statistics
With experience, you could become a camera supervisor, cinematographer or director of photography.
You could specialise in a particular field, like underwater filming, aerial photography or wildlife work.
You can get more advice about how to become a camera operator from ScreenSkills.
You'll need: