How much does a camera operator make in Chicago?
$102,400a year
Median yearly pay for camera operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $49.22 an hour or $8,531 a month.
- Hourly
- $49.22
- Vs. national median
- +37%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 71
- Jobs in the area
- 740
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,770Median: $102,400Highest 10%: $131,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,770 | $17.68 | |
| 25th | $69,900 | $33.61 | |
| Median | $102,400 | $49.22 | |
| 75th | $107,300 | $51.57 | |
| 90th | $131,300 | $63.13 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for camera operators.
| St. Louis, MO | $71,360 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $83,200 |
| Editor | $80,380 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a camera operator make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $49.22 ($102,400 a year).
Do camera operators make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $102,400 against $74,990 nationally, 37% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $100,200, so Chicago pays 2% more.
Where does Chicago rank for camera operator pay?
2 of 71 metro areas with data.
How much does a camera operator make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,770 or less a year; the top 10% make $131,300 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.