Rates, 2026
What should a camera operator charge in a major city?
About $650 a day for a camera operator who is working and booked in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin. $500 in the first years, $775 when senior.
Other markets: New York or LA · remote · a smaller market
First years
$500
a day · $65 an hour
Working, booked
$650
a day · $80 an hour
Senior, sought after
$775
a day · $95 an hour
The rate card, working level
- Day rate$650 per day
- Hourlyfor anything that does not fit a day$80 per hour
Sold by the day. The day is the unit; half days run 60%.
What to charge for each thing
Ranges for a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin: the low end is the first years, the high end is senior. Working and booked sits in the middle.
- Half day$250 to $500 per half day
- Your camera package$125 to $425 per day
- Live event or multicam day$500 to $925 per day
How the number is made
Camera operators at this level in this market day at about $650 ($500 to $1,000 in New York and LA). Put in the year you actually want on the perfect price page and the number moves with it.
Questions
- What is a fair day rate for a camera operator in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin?
- About $650 a day for someone working and booked, $500 in the first years, $775 when senior and sought after. Half days usually run 60% of the day.
- Are these rates a rule?
- No. They are US 2026 ranges for the role, placed by level and moved for the market. What a client actually paid you beats all of it. The tool has a box for that, and it wins.
Your number, in five seconds.
Pick your level and market, get a card you can send the next client who asks. Then RostrLab quotes, papers, invoices and chases every job with it: free for 14 days, $29 a month, never a cut.
More in production crew
producerdirectordirector of photographysound mixergafferhair and makeup artistwardrobe stylistproduction assistant