They must be available on short notice. Camera operators, especially those on news teams, frequently travel locally. They may make longer trips occasionally. Their work may put them in dangerous situations. Some, usually those working on movies, may travel to distance places for long periods of time.
Wages vary according to training, experience and location.
Entry level wages may be lower. There were 300 people employed as television and motion picture camera operators in Indiana in 1998. It is estimated that between 1996 and 2006, about 1 job per year will need to be filled in this occupation. This number includes mostly jobs resulting from the replacement of current workers. This occupation is growing more slowly than the average for other occupations in Indiana.