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Video editor: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$75,420median pay per year, or $36.26 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $40,280lowest 10% earn less
  2. $52,72025th percentile
  3. $75,420median
  4. $105,31075th percentile
  5. $148,550top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median pay for film and video editors was $75,420 a year in May 2025[1]. A bachelor's degree is the typical way in, and jobs are projected to grow 3.7% by 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.7%[3]
Openings per year
3,100[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[2]

How much do video editors make?

The official BLS category is Film and Video Editors. In May 2025, the median wage was $75,420 a year, or $36.26 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $86,130 a year, or $41.41 an hour[7].

The median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5]. Video editors' median sits above it.

The range is wide:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[4][8] $40,280 $19.37
25th[4][8] $52,720 $25.35
Median[1] $75,420 $36.26
75th[4][8] $105,310 $50.63
90th[4][8] $148,550 $71.42

The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $40,280[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. That matters here, because 35.5% of film and video editors were self-employed in 2025[11]. About 25,610 wage and salary jobs existed in May 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Among 41 states and DC with published data, New York was listed first on median pay at $103,440[13]. The District of Columbia followed at $98,830, then Massachusetts at $92,130 and California at $88,490[13].

The most jobs were in California (8,110), New York (3,710), Florida (1,490), Texas (1,040) and Pennsylvania (850)[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont was listed first for pay at $109,930[15]. New York-Newark-Jersey City came next at $104,590, then Denver-Aurora-Centennial at $93,600[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had the most jobs at 6,010, with a median of $83,210[16].

Show median pay in 41 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New York[13]$103,4403,710
District of Columbia$98,830370
Massachusetts$92,130550
California$88,4908,110
Colorado$84,620380
Connecticut$83,550600
New Jersey$82,890620
Virginia$78,740n/a
Maryland$78,380250
Utah$76,240370
Alabama$74,410120
Illinois$72,460310
Oregon$72,300360
Louisiana$66,87080
Washington$66,870450
Nevada$65,720320
Vermont$63,080100
Kentucky$62,33060
New Hampshire$61,250100
Texas$61,2201,040
Florida$60,4301,490
North Carolina$60,020400
Michigan$59,100360
Missouri$57,950380
Tennessee$57,880560
Ohio$56,410340
Nebraska$55,810120
Oklahoma$55,210100
Idaho$54,080100
Wisconsin$53,430240
Minnesota$53,150200
Georgia$51,280n/a
Kansas$50,90070
Mississippi$50,41050
New Mexico$49,400160
Arkansas$48,48080
West Virginia$48,44030
Indiana$46,780450
Arizona$45,840350
Montana$42,520110
South Dakota$39,09030
Alaska$38,80030

How to become a video editor

BLS describes the typical path into this occupation like this[2]:

The details below come from a BLS profile that covers editors together with camera operators, so they describe a wider group[17]. That profile says the degree is usually in film, broadcasting or a nearby arts or communications area[18]. It adds that editors need to understand digital cameras and editing software[19]. Employers may train new hires on the specialized software they use, and beginners are advised to know as many types as they can[20].

In an O*NET survey of 19 workers, 65% said a bachelor's degree was required, 17% said an associate's degree, and 16% said a high school diploma or equivalent[21]. The survey is small, so read these as survey shares only.

Editors may also show skill in editing software with a certification, generally offered by software vendors. It requires passing an exam[22]. Experienced editors with creativity and leadership skills can move up to overseeing their own projects[23].

What video editors do

O*NET describes the work as editing moving images on film, video or other media, sometimes with a producer or director[24]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report titles such as film editor, news video editor and online editor[26]. Editors also need computer skills and an eye for detail[27][28].

Where they work

This part draws on the wider BLS profile for editors and camera operators[17]. Editors typically work in studios or offices[29]. They work in editing rooms, alone or with producers and directors, often for many hours at a time[30].

Most in the wider group work full time, though part-time work is common. Hours vary, and those in broadcasting may work extra hours to meet a deadline[31]. In the motion picture industry, schedules can be busy during filming, followed by a period of looking for work before the next job[31]. Self-employed workers were the largest employer group at 35%[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of film and video editors to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 39,400 to 40,800 jobs[3]. Those counts include self-employed workers[3]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[33].

About 3,100 openings a year are projected[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when people leave the labor force or switch occupations, not only new jobs. Each year, 2.3% of workers leave the labor force and 5.1% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay above the national median, at $75,420 against $50,980[1][5]. They also show a wide spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles[4]. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry point[2]. Growth is close to the all-occupation rate[3][33]. A large share of editors are self-employed, so the OEWS wages tell only part of the story[11][10].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a video editor make an hour?
The median was $36.26 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $19.37 and the 90th was $71.42[8].
What degree do you need to be a video editor?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[2]. The wider BLS profile says it is often in film, broadcasting or a related field[18].
Is video editing in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035[3]. About 3,100 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for video editors?
New York was listed first at a median of $103,440[13]. California had the most jobs at 8,110[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Film and Video Editors in the US was $75,420 per year and $36.26 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Film and Video Editors: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Film and Video Editors is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 39,400 to 40,800 jobs (a change of +1,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Film and Video Editors: 10th percentile $40,280, 25th percentile $52,720, 75th percentile $105,310, 90th percentile $148,550. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,100 openings for Film and Video Editors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Film and Video Editors was $86,130 per year and $41.41 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Film and Video Editors: 10th percentile $19.37, 25th percentile $25.35, 75th percentile $50.63, 90th percentile $71.42. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 35.5% of Film and Video Editors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 25,610 people were employed as Film and Video Editors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Film and Video Editors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Film and Video Editors jobs: California 8,110; New York 3,710; Florida 1,490; Texas 1,040; Pennsylvania 850. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Film and Video Editors (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $109,930; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $104,590; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $93,600; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $91,750; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $88,910; Waterbury-Shelton, CT $83,550; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $83,480; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $83,230. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Film and Video Editors jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 6,010 (median $83,210); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,430 (median $104,590); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 740 (median $109,930); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 560 (median $91,750); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 430 (median $88,910); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 410. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators" covers Film and Video Editors together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 27-4032.00 survey of workers (19 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 65%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 17%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 16% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Film and Video Editors. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Film and Video Editors. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 27-4032.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Editor, Film Editor, News Editor, News Video Editor, News Videotape Editor, Non-Linear Editor, Online Editor, Tape Editor. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of film and video editors and camera operators in 2025: Self-employed workers 35%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Film and Video Editors: 2.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.