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Contract Camera Operator Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Warehouse Technician

Wheeling, IL

$22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... self-operated gaming locations across ten states. Through exclusive long-term contracts, Accel ... Additional duties may be required, such as oversight on parts, management of any camera related ...

New

Warehouse Technician

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... self-operated gaming locations across ten states. Through exclusive long-term contracts, Accel ... Additional duties may be required, such as oversight on parts, management of any camera related ...

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Low Voltage Cable Technicians and Foreman Needed

Chicago, IL · On-site

$28 - $45/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Contract to Hire Pay: $28-$45 per hour Responsibilities: * Pull, route, and secure low-voltage ... Experience installing analog CCTV systems and DVR's, CCTV IP Camera's, Access control systems ...

Land Development Manager

Naperville, IL · On-site

$88K - $100K/yr

The business ventures fall into broadly-defined categories: wholly-owned operating companies ... Organize, plan, and oversee the execution of all construction tasks, ensuring contract obligations ...

Utility Worker

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Downloading drive cameras & probes fare boxes * Perform light maintenance to shop areas, fueling ... S. contract with Transdev to operate their transportation systems, maintain their vehicle and ...

Utility Worker

Chicago, IL

$17 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Downloading drive cameras & probes fare boxes * Perform light maintenance to shop areas, fueling ... S. contract with Transdev to operate their transportation systems, maintain their vehicle and ...

Showing results 21-40

Contract Camera Operator information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$13

$29

$64

How much do contract camera operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract camera operator in Chicago, IL is $29.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.84 and $31.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by contract camera operators when working on multiple projects?

As a contract camera operator, you may encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to varying production styles, equipment setups, and team workflows across different projects. Balancing overlapping deadlines, managing equipment logistics, and rapidly building rapport with new directors or crew members are common aspects of the role. Flexibility and strong communication skills are essential, as you’ll often need to shift between diverse environments and expectations while maintaining high-quality footage.

What is a contract camera operator?

Contract camera operators are professionals who are hired on a temporary or project basis to operate cameras for film, television, live events, or other video productions. Unlike staff camera operators, they work as freelancers or independent contractors and may work for multiple clients or production companies. Their responsibilities typically include setting up camera equipment, capturing footage according to the director’s vision, and ensuring high-quality visual output. Contract camera operators need to have technical expertise, creativity, and flexibility to adapt to different shooting environments. They often manage their own schedules and negotiate their own rates.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract camera operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Camera Operator, you need a solid understanding of camera equipment, composition, and lighting, often supported by experience or a relevant degree in film or media production. Familiarity with professional video cameras, stabilization rigs, editing software, and sometimes drone operation or live streaming platforms is important. Strong communication, adaptability, and attention to detail are valuable soft skills for collaborating on set and responding to fast-paced production needs. These skills ensure high-quality footage, efficient workflow, and successful delivery of the creative vision in diverse shooting environments.

What is the difference between Contract Camera Operator vs Freelance Camera Operator?

AspectContract Camera OperatorFreelance Camera Operator
CredentialsRelevant camera operation certifications, industry experienceSimilar credentials, often with additional portfolio requirements
Work EnvironmentTypically hired for specific projects or periods, often through agencies or production companiesSelf-employed, working on multiple projects for various clients
Employer/Industry UsageEngaged by production companies or broadcasters under contractHired directly by clients or production teams on a project basis

Both Contract Camera Operators and Freelance Camera Operators possess similar skills and credentials, often working in the same environments. The key difference lies in employment structure: Contract Camera Operators are usually hired through agencies or production companies for specific projects, while Freelance Camera Operators work independently, managing their own clients and schedules.

What are the most commonly searched types of Camera Operator jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Camera Operator jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Senior Staff DevOps/Infrastructure Engineer (Chicago Hybrid)

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

$135K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


Motorola Solutions rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 157 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Company Overview
At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with our people. We're a global close-knit community, united by the relentless pursuit to help keep people safer everywhere. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions foster the collaboration that's critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses, and ultimately, safer nations. Connect with a career that matters, and help us build a safer future.
Department Overview
The Motorola Solution Video Services team is responsible for the architecture, design, and development of cloud-based Video Management Solutions servicing Public Safety and Enterprise Customers. Motorola Solutions designs, develops, and manufactures advanced AI, video analytics, network video management software and hardware, surveillance cameras, and access control solutions that help change the way people interact with their security systems. We are seeking a Senior DevOps/Infrastructure Engineer to build the high-performance, ultra-reliable cloud foundations that power these essential services. Our products allow customers to respond effectively in mission-critical operating environments. We are looking for world-class innovative and motivated engineers interested in building software and systems that truly make a difference.
Job Description
Responsibilities Include:
  • Multi-Cloud Architecture: Design, implement, and maintain scalable production environments across Azure and GCP to support high-bandwidth video workloads.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Lead the automation of cloud resource provisioning using Terraform and manage complex Kubernetes deployments via Helm.
  • Security & Compliance: Champion Best Cloud Security Practices to protect sensitive Public Safety and Enterprise data, ensuring rigorous access controls and encryption standards.
  • Application Reliability: Partner with software teams to optimize and troubleshoot Java-based microservices, ensuring system resilience and maximum uptime.
  • Continuous Integration/Deployment: Own and evolve CI/CD pipelines to ensure seamless, secure, and frequent code releases.
  • Global Collaboration: Work within a highly collaborative, remote team to solve complex infrastructure challenges under fast-paced timelines

Requirements:
  • Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen. This requirement is due to specific U.S. Government Contract Mandates and the necessity of handling sensitive data for Public Safety entities.
  • Cloud Platforms: 5+ years of hands-on experience managing Azure and GCP (Google Cloud Platform).
  • Tooling & Orchestration: Deep proficiency with Terraform for infrastructure automation and Helm for Kubernetes package management.
  • Software Foundation: Strong background in Java or similar general-purpose languages, with the ability to debug application-level infrastructure issues.
  • Containers: Expertise in Docker and Kubernetes (AKS/GKE) orchestration.
  • Security Mindset: Practical experience implementing cloud security frameworks (e.g., CIS, NIST, or CJIS) and modern identity management.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Communication: Proficiency in spoken and written English; ability to present technical strategies to both engineering and leadership teams.

Target Base Salary Range: $135,000 USD - $155,000 USD
Consistent with Motorola Solutions values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Pay within this range varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate
Note: Candidate must be in the Chicago office 2 days per week.
#LI-MP2
#LI-HYBRD
Basic Requirements
  • Bachelors Degree with 5+ years of cloud platform experience
  • AND 3+ years of Java experience
  • AND 1+ years of experience leading a team
  • Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain necessary security clearance as required by government contract.

Travel Requirements
None
Relocation Provided
None
Position Type
Experienced
Referral Payment Plan
No
Our U.S. Benefits include:
  • Incentive Bonus Plans
  • Medical, Dental, Vision benefits
  • 401K with Company Match
  • 10 Paid Holidays
  • Generous Paid Time Off Packages
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Paid Parental & Family Leave
  • and more!

EEO Statement
Motorola Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally-protected characteristic.
We are proud of our people-first and community-focused culture, empowering every Motorolan to be their most authentic self and to do their best work to deliver on the promise of a safer world. If you'd like to join our team but feel that you don't quite meet all of the preferred skills, we'd still love to hear why you think you'd be a great addition to our team.
We're committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruiting experience for candidates with disabilities, or other physical or mental health conditions. To request an accommodation, please complete this Reasonable Accommodations Form so we can assist you.

What Motorola Solutions employees say

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About Motorola Solutions

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with safety. It's the constant that empowers people to confidently move forward. It can fill a flight or sell out a stadium. It can care for a patient or graduate a class. As a global leader in public safety and enterprise security, we create and connect the technologies that help to keep people safe where they live, learn, work and play. Our integrated technology ecosystem unifies critical communications, video security and access control, and command center software, enabling collaboration in more powerful ways. At Motorola Solutions, we're ushering in a new era in public safety and security. Bring your passion, potential and talents to a career that matters.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1928