Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Machines can already do 22% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 52%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 22% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 17% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2035, and 52% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 21,550 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $74,990 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 81% for contact with people.
- Also called: Camera Operator, Cameraman, Master Control Operator (MCO), News Videographer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures | 16% | 3% to 30% | |
| Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors | 15% | 3% to 30% | |
| Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting | 9% | 30% to 75% | |
| Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements | 7% | 30% to 54% | |
| Set up and perform live shots for broadcast | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing | 6% | 81% to 87% | |
| Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming | 5% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills camera operators, television, video, and film use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $97,150
- Circus and Variety Performers47% of tasks by 2035
- Costume Attendants51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,400
- Dancers33% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2035. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of camera operators, television, video, and film?
Machines can do 22% of the tasks of camera operators, television, video, and film today and 52% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 27-4031.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/camera-operators-television-video-and-film/