Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.
Film and Video Editors
SOC: 27-4032 O*NET: 27-4032.00
Median Salary
$70,980
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.
What does a Film and Video Editors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,170
10th percentile
Early Career
$50,230
25th percentile
Median
$70,980
50th percentile
Experienced
$101,570
75th percentile
Top Earners
$145,900
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,170
25th
$50,230
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$70,980
Mean: $83,530
75th
$101,570
90th
$145,900
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $106,730 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $50,230 and $101,570
- •Salary spread is 72.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 28,860 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:43,500
Top Industries
Information65.5%
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries49.3%
Motion Picture and Video Industries47.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4%
Annual Openings:3,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)43,500
Current
2034 (Projected)45,200
+4%
+1,700
Employment Change
+4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Film and Video Editors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
9,110 jobs$83,2002.70x
New York
4,060 jobs$102,4502.27x
Florida
1,190 jobs$57,5700.65x
Texas
1,100 jobs$57,4000.42x
Georgia
1,000 jobs$52,2401.11x
Pennsylvania
790 jobs$51,3400.71x
New Jersey
740 jobs$82,8500.93x
Washington
620 jobs$66,1100.93x
Colorado
590 jobs$56,5101.09x
Tennessee
560 jobs$52,6000.92x
Utah
530 jobs$62,8601.66x
Connecticut
510 jobs$60,4401.62x
Illinois
500 jobs$58,6200.44x
Ohio
500 jobs$51,2300.48x
Oregon
490 jobs$62,0201.34x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Time Management
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Time Management
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Desktop Publishers100%
5 shared skills
Electrical and Electronics Drafters100%
5 shared skills
Family Medicine Physicians100%
5 shared skills
Special Effects Artists and Animators100%
5 shared skills
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property90%
5 shared skills
Upholsterers90%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Time Management
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Active Learning
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Film and Video Editors
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Extensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechAdobe After Effects
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTikTok
🔥 Hot TechAJAX
🔥 Hot TechCascading style sheets CSS
🔥 Hot TechHypertext markup language HTML
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Extensible markup language XML
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
TikTok
AJAX
Cascading style sheets CSS
Hypertext markup language HTML
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Management & Supervision (3)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (3)
1
Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Program computerized graphic effects.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Film and Video Editors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Film and Video Editors professionals typically have a ACR Holland code and highly value independence
AArtistic
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Film and Video Editors
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.95
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.90
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.81
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.79
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.77
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.76
Complete Work Styles Profile
Stress Tolerance
5.0
Attention to Detail
4.9
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Cooperation
4.8
Self-Control
4.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.8
Independence
4.7
Initiative
4.7
Persistence
4.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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