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Television Camera Operator: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like to look at the visual world for different perspectives? Are you interested in cameras? Do you have great vision and hearing? Then you may have a picture-perfect career as a television camera operator.
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Occupations in Alberta
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Television Camera Operator

Television camera operators operate television cameras and related equipment to record news, live events and productions for television broadcast.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Camera Operator, Videographer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 5222: Film and Video Camera Operators

2006 NOC-S

  • F122: Film and Video Camera Operators

2011 NOC

  • 5222: Film and video camera operators

2016 NOC

  • 5222: Film and video camera operators

2021 NOC

  • 52110: Film and video camera operators

2023 OaSIS

  • 52110.00: Film and video camera operators
Duties
Updated Mar 05, 2021

In general, camera operators:

  • Move the camera and operate optical controls, such as focus, zoom and exposure
  • Follow instructions from the director concerning the mood or dramatic effect to be achieved
  • Make minor electronic adjustments to cameras

They also may:

  • Maintain and store camera equipment
  • Assist with the lighting and staging of broadcast productions
  • Set up and operate live location shoots
  • Edit video in non-linear edit suites or on location

Electronic news gathering (ENG) and electronic field production (EFP) camera operators use portable cameras to televise and record news and sports events from remote locations. Camera operators working with ENG or EFP equipment also may set up recording, lighting and playback equipment for field productions.

Camera operators are responsible for producing the visual content of news items and achieving the desired visual content for commercials or program productions. They also may use robotic cameras and control camera movement using a computer rather than by making physical adjustments. This allows the operator to control multiple cameras at once.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 05, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Depending on the size of the broadcast company and studio, camera operators may work alone or as part of a team of camera operators. They may work entirely at a station or at remote locations in all weather conditions. Most operators work 8-hour shifts, including afternoons, evenings, weekends and holidays.

Television camera operators may need to lift equipment weighing up to 20 kilograms. Handheld camera shoots may involve shouldering a 10-kilogram camera for up to 6 hours. Coping with tight schedules and deadlines can be a strain.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
A
Artistic
I
Investigative
This occupation
You

To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Film and video camera operators
2023 OaSIS: 52110.00

Click or tap a personality type for its description.

  • 1
    Realistic

    Realistic jobs focus on working with your hands, tools, machines, or animals. People in these jobs often fix, build, or take care of things. They like clear tasks and working in a physical way. These jobs usually don’t need much paperwork or teamwork. Examples include mechanics, farmers, and builders.

  • 2
    Artistic

    Artistic jobs involve being creative and expressing yourself. People in these jobs like to draw, write, act, or design. They often work with shapes, colours, patterns, music, or words. These jobs do not always follow strict rules and often let people work in their own way. Examples include artists, writers, and musicians.

  • 3
    Investigative

    Investigative jobs are about thinking deeply and solving problems. People in these jobs enjoy learning, asking questions, and doing research. They often study science, nature, or how things work. These jobs need a lot of thinking and often involve working with ideas instead of people. Examples include scientists, lab technicians, and researchers.

Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.

Your Work Personalities

To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Film and video camera operators
2023 OaSIS: 52110.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Inductive Reasoning
Verbal Ability
Information Ordering
Categorization Flexibility
Deductive Reasoning
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Identification
Written Comprehension
Written Expression

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Memorizing
Perceptual Speed
Pattern Organization Speed
Numerical Ability
Mathematical Reasoning
Multitasking
Pattern Identification
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Visualization
Selective Attention

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Stamina
Static Strength
Trunk Strength
Explosive Strength
Body Flexibility
Dynamic Strength
Gross Body Coordination
Gross Body Equilibrium
Multi-Limb Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
Rate Control
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control of Settings
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Multi-Signal Response
Reaction Time
Speed of Limb Movement

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Clarity
Peripheral Vision
Auditory Attention
Depth Perception
Far Vision
Glare Tolerance
Near Vision
Night Vision
Speech Recognition
Sound Localization
Colour Perception

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 05, 2021

Television camera operators need:

  • An interest in technology
  • Creativity and artistic ability
  • Motor coordination
  • Good vision and hearing
  • Stamina, particularly for field work
  • Communication and interpersonal skills for working with others in a team environment
  • The ability to remain alert while performing routine, repetitive tasks
  • The ability to respond quickly to the unexpected

They should enjoy operating, testing and maintaining camera equipment, and working with others.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Film and video camera operators

2016 NOC: 5222

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 52 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 18, 2022 and Jun 11, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Test, maintain and store equipment
Tasks: Select and set up camera equipment
Tasks: Operate video recording equipment
Tasks: Operate specialized camera
Tasks: Adjust focus, exposure, lighting and other camera settings
Tasks: Label and record contents of exposed film
Work under pressure
Team player
Tasks: Determine filming sequences, camera movements and picture composition
Film or Video Production Experience: Stills
Tasks: Test, maintain and store equipment 39
Tasks: Select and set up camera equipment 39
Tasks: Operate video recording equipment 38
Tasks: Operate specialized camera 36
Tasks: Adjust focus, exposure, lighting and other camera settings 35
Tasks: Label and record contents of exposed film 28
Work under pressure 25
Construction Specialization: Team player 23
Tasks: Determine filming sequences, camera movements and picture composition 23
Film or Video Production Experience: Stills 18
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 05, 2021
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

Television camera operators need training in shot composition and framing. A background in journalism is an asset for electronic news gathering (ENG) camera operators because many stations prefer to hire reporters who can shoot and edit their own stories. For more information, see the Reporter occupational profile. Because most television stations use robotic cameras, computer skills related to camera control and operating robotic systems are an asset.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Alberta University of the Arts
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 05, 2021
  • Certification Not regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 05, 2021

Competition is keen in the broadcasting field. Inexperienced camera operators must be willing to start at small stations. Once operators have gained experience, they can move to positions at larger stations or specialize in a particular type of work.

Freelancing has become the trend in broadcasting. Contract employment also can be found in producing in-house programs such as corporate videos (for example, videos about safety and technical training, recruiting, sales and marketing).

To be successful, freelancers must be talented, establish a network of contacts and be available to work when needed. A significant investment in equipment may be required to compete and maintain a successful business.

Experienced camera operators can advance to technical supervisory positions and, if they have the necessary ability and experience, eventually become directors or producers.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Film and video camera operators
2016 NOC: 5222

85.7% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Film and video camera operators
2021 NOC: 52110
Cool
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list
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iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Film and video camera operators
2016 NOC: 5222
2.7%
Annual Growth
(Above average)
8
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Jun 05, 2025

Incomes for freelance television camera operators vary considerably from one contract to another, and from one year to another.

Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Media, Design and Communication Arts
    • Communication Technology
  • Science
  • Social Studies
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Communications
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 05, 2021

Cultural Human Resources Council website: culturalhrc.ca

Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta (FAVA) website: fava.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 05, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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