How Much Does a Cinematographer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$74,990
Cinematographers in the U.S. earn a median of $74,990 a year, or $36.05 an hour. Half of cinematographers earn more than $74,990 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $135,180.
Pay percentiles for cinematographers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18.52 | $38,520 |
| 25th | $24.48 | $50,920 |
| 50th (median) | $36.05 | $74,990 |
| 75th | $51.28 | $106,660 |
| 90th | $64.99 | $135,180 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film (SOC 27-4031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for cinematographers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $106,900 | $51.39 | +43% |
| Illinois | $100,170 | $48.16 | +34% |
| District of Columbia | $98,300 | $47.26 | +31% |
| New York | $93,410 | $44.91 | +25% |
| Georgia | $85,050 | $40.89 | +13% |
| Alaska | $83,620 | $40.20 | +12% |
| Colorado | $74,990 | $36.05 | 0% |
| Utah | $73,450 | $35.31 | −2% |
| Arizona | $68,250 | $32.81 | −9% |
| Maryland | $65,870 | $31.67 | −12% |
| United States | $74,990 | $36.05 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many cinematographers are there?
BLS counts about 21,550 cinematographers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film”. The most jobs are in California (4,700), New York (2,930) and Texas (1,100).
The mean (average) annual wage is $83,210, higher than the median of $74,990.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,249
- Biweekly
- $2,884
- Weekly
- $1,442
- Daily (8 hours)
- $288
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cinematographers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for cinematographers is $36.05. The middle 50% earn between $24.48 and $51.28 an hour.
Which state pays cinematographers the most?
California has the highest median wage for cinematographers at $106,900, +43% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for cinematographers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of cinematographers earn less than $38,520 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.