Career comparison
Camera Operator vs. Lighting Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Camera operators earn more at the median ($74,990 vs. $68,060), while lighting technicians usually get to work faster (6 months–2 years of training). Camera operators shoot video for film, TV, news, sports and online content. Lighting technicians set up, program and run lighting for stages, film sets and events.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Camera Operator | Lighting Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,990 ($36.05/hr) | $68,060 ($32.72/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,520 – $135,180 | $42,310 – $130,760 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.3% (slower than average) | -4.8% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 2,500 | 600 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 4 years or on-set experience | 6 months–2 years |
| Key credential | FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate | ETCP Entertainment Electrician |
| Work setting | Camera operators work on film sets, in studios, at sports venues, news scenes and events, often on location.. | Lighting techs work in theaters, concert venues, studios and film sets, often at heights and late at night.. |
What each job does
Camera Operator
- Set up and operate cameras
- Frame and compose shots
- Pull focus and set exposure
- Operate dollies, gimbals and cranes
- Follow the director’s shot list
Lighting Technician
- Hang and focus lighting fixtures
- Run cable and power distribution
- Program lighting consoles
- Operate cues during shows
- Maintain and repair equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work, hands-on work, teamwork, and physical work. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose camera operator if…
- I love film and TV
- I have a strong visual eye
- I enjoy teamwork
Choose lighting technician if…
- I love theater, concerts or film
- I like technical work
- I’m comfortable at heights
Still torn? Take the Camera Operator fit quiz and the Lighting Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, camera operator or lighting technician?
Camera Operators earn more at the median: $74,990 versus $68,060 for lighting technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Lighting Technicians typically train faster (6 months–2 years) than camera operators (4 years or on-set experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects camera operators to grow +1.3% from 2025–35, compared with -4.8% for lighting technicians.