What Does a Video Editor Do?
While viewers rarely notice good editing, they feel it in the pace of a story and the way each scene lands. Video editors shape raw footage into finished programs for broadcasters, agencies, production companies, universities and online channels. Most spend a lot of time alone in the edit suite, then rework cuts after client notes.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Editor, Film Editor, News Editor, News Video Editor, News Videotape Editor, Non-Linear Editor, Online Editor, Tape Editor.
Video Editor Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a video editor include:
- Import, log and organize raw footage, audio and graphics into a clear project structure.
- Assemble rough cuts from scripts, interview transcripts and the director's notes.
- Cut and trim scenes for pace, continuity and story, then refine the edit through revisions.
- Sync multicamera footage and separate audio, fixing drift and timing problems.
- Color-correct shots in DaVinci Resolve so scenes match across cameras and locations.
- Mix dialogue, music and sound effects, and clean up background noise.
- Add titles, lower thirds, captions and simple motion graphics to finished cuts.
- Export finished videos to broadcast, web and social specifications, checking each file before delivery.
- Archive projects and media on shared storage so versions can be found later.
- Present cuts to producers and clients, and apply their feedback on deadline.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a video editor, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer or Final Cut Pro
- DaVinci Resolve color correction
- Story structure and pacing
- Audio cleanup and mixing basics
- After Effects for simple motion graphics
- Media management and file organization
- Taking notes from clients and directors
- A reel of edited work
Education and Training
Producers ask for a reel before anything else. A bachelor's degree in film or video production is the usual background, and many editors built their first reels cutting for student media, online channels or local businesses. Fluency in Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer and DaVinci Resolve widens the range of jobs you can apply for.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $52,720 - $105,310 per year, with a median of $75,420.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Film and Video Editors.
According to BLS, employment of film and video editors is projected to grow about 4 percent in the decade ending in 2035, with roughly 3,100 openings a year. The median wage for the group was about $75,400 in May 2025, meaning half earned more and half earned less. Freelance and contract work is common, especially in commercial and online video.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Film and video editors.
Video Editor Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $40,280 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $52,720 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $75,420 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $105,310 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $148,550 |
Highest-Paying States for Video Editors
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are New York ($103,440), District of Columbia ($98,830), Massachusetts ($92,130), California ($88,490), Colorado ($84,620). Pay is lowest in Montana ($42,520), South Dakota ($39,090), Alaska ($38,800).
Median pay in all 42 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $74,410 |
| Alaska | $38,800 |
| Arizona | $45,840 |
| Arkansas | $48,480 |
| California | $88,490 |
| Colorado | $84,620 |
| Connecticut | $83,550 |
| District of Columbia | $98,830 |
| Florida | $60,430 |
| Georgia | $51,280 |
| Idaho | $54,080 |
| Illinois | $72,460 |
| Indiana | $46,780 |
| Kansas | $50,900 |
| Kentucky | $62,330 |
| Louisiana | $66,870 |
| Maryland | $78,380 |
| Massachusetts | $92,130 |
| Michigan | $59,100 |
| Minnesota | $53,150 |
| Mississippi | $50,410 |
| Missouri | $57,950 |
| Montana | $42,520 |
| Nebraska | $55,810 |
| Nevada | $65,720 |
| New Hampshire | $61,250 |
| New Jersey | $82,890 |
| New Mexico | $49,400 |
| New York | $103,440 |
| North Carolina | $60,020 |
| Ohio | $56,410 |
| Oklahoma | $55,210 |
| Oregon | $72,300 |
| South Dakota | $39,090 |
| Tennessee | $57,880 |
| Texas | $61,220 |
| Utah | $76,240 |
| Vermont | $63,080 |
| Virginia | $78,740 |
| Washington | $66,870 |
| West Virginia | $48,440 |
| Wisconsin | $53,430 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as film and video editors about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 100% use email every day
- 98% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 97% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 94% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 93% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 71% work against deadlines every day
- 58% are on the phone every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 65% |
| Associate's degree | 17% |
| High school diploma or GED | 16% |
Tools and Software Video Editors Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy creative work and self-expression as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving.
Knowledge areas used most: Communications and Media, English Language, Computers and Electronics, Telecommunications, Fine Arts.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for a Video Editor Job
- Job application letter sample
- Resume or CV: which to send
- How to describe your work experience
- Job interview tips
- Interview thank-you note
The Job Explorer never charges candidates any money. If someone asks you to pay to apply for a video editor job or to get hired, treat it as a warning sign.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 27-4032.00 (Film and Video Editors). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 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. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.