SalaryNode

Average Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Camera Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an impressive average annual salary of $88,920, significantly surpassing the national average of $80,630. This elevated compensation is likely driven by the region's robust media production sector and the specialized skill set required for television, video, and film operations.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $88,920 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $126,700.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 680 Camera Operators, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area demonstrates a substantial presence in this specialized field. The Location Quotient of 0.96 suggests that the concentration of these professionals is nearly on par with the national average, indicating a stable and established job market with consistent demand.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$88,920

The average Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns+10.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$42.8

Weekly

$1,710

Monthly

$7,410

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Career progression for Camera Operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive portfolios and specialized skills can command salaries in the upper percentiles, reflecting their expertise and value to production teams.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$29,120$14
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$66,690$32.1
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$82,950$39.9
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$111,150$53.4
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$126,700$60.9

Detailed Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$88,920

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$88,920

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $88,920 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Camera Operator's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a balanced lifestyle without significant financial strain due to living expenses.

Job Market Context

680

Total Jobs

0.152

Per 1K Jobs

0.96

Location Quotient

Below Average

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has 0.96x the national average concentration of Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.96 indicates that the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area has a slightly lower concentration of Camera Operators compared to the national average. This suggests that while the market is well-established, there may be opportunities for skilled professionals to find work without facing extreme competition, making it a potentially favorable environment for job seekers.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median annual salary for a Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $88,920. This typically ranges from $29,120 for entry-level positions to $126,700 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 10.3% higher than the national median of $80,630.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films?

Yes, it is a lucrative place.Camera Operators in this region earn over $8,000 more than the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, making it financially advantageous.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Films?

The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the Chicago Camera Operator salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Camera Operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is $88,920, which is $8,290 higher than the national average of $80,630.

What is the job market like for Camera Operators in Chicago?

The job market is stable, with 680 Camera Operators locally and a concentration (Location Quotient) of 0.96, indicating a demand that closely matches the national average.

Does the cost of living affect the salary for Camera Operators in Chicago?

No, the cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the higher salary offers equivalent purchasing power.

How many Camera Operators are there in the Chicago area?

There are approximately 680 Camera Operators working in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 680 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 0.152 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Semantic Salary Analysis for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN