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Film and Video Editors

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeModerate pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Artistic: Creating, designing and expressing ideas through art, writing, music or performance.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $75,420 Median per year · $36.26/hr Most earn $40,280–$148,550

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
  • Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
  • Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
  • Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
  • Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs.
  • Record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 3,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Self-employed (their own business)35.5%
  • Media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers6.1%
  • Advertising, public relations, and related services2.4%
  • Television broadcasting stations2.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Film and video editing is usually not an entry-level job straight out of school. Most people earn a bachelor's degree, then work for roughly 2 to 4 years as an assistant or intern before editing on their own. Keep in mind that the 2 to 4 years is a typical range, and people reach this career by many different routes.

  1. Bachelor's degree in film, media production, or communications

    4 years

    You learn storytelling, camera basics, and how media is made, and you can start building a demo reel of your edits. This prepares you for entry-level production work.

  2. Assistant Editor or Editing Intern

    2-4 years

    You organize footage, sync sound, log shots, and learn professional editing software while working under experienced editors. This hands-on time is how you build the skills and credits needed to edit on your own.

  3. Film and Video Editor

    Career goal

    You cut raw footage into a finished story, working with a producer or director and handling sound and picture as the final product takes shape.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Film Editor

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on larger or more complex projects, make more creative decisions, and mentor assistant editors. Strong portfolio work and a good track record with directors help you move up.

  2. Post-Production Supervisor

    3-5 years of experience first

    You manage the editing schedule, budget, and team across the whole post-production process. This role needs strong organization and communication skills as well as editing experience.

  3. Producer

    2-4 years of experience first

    You oversee a project from idea to finished product, including hiring, budgets, and schedules. Editors who understand storytelling and project management often move into this role.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take video, media, or computer classesAny class that teaches video production, photography, or computer software builds the basic skills you'll use in editing.
  • Join the school's video or news teamWorking on morning announcements, a school news show, or yearbook videos gives you real footage to edit and teamwork experience.
  • Make short films with friendsPracticing storytelling and cutting footage on your own helps you learn what works on screen and gives you material for a reel.
  • Volunteer with community or local-access TVMany towns have a public access station where volunteers help with filming and editing, which teaches you professional habits.

In college

  • Major in film, media production, or a related fieldCourses in editing, cinematography, and sound give you the training employers look for and help you build a strong portfolio.
  • Work on student media or campus productionsJoining the campus TV station, film society, or student newspaper video team gives you hands-on credits and new collaborators.
  • Get an internship at a production company or TV stationInternships show you how professional post-production works and often lead to assistant editor jobs after graduation.
  • Take a campus job in media or the AV departmentWorking with cameras, lighting, or editing equipment on campus builds technical skills and reliability you can list on your resume.
  • Build and update your demo reelKeep adding your best edited projects to a reel and website, since editors are usually hired based on what they can show.

Tips for getting started

  • Start a demo reel early. Edit short videos for school events, friends, or community groups, because a strong reel often matters more to employers than grades alone.
  • Learn common editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. Many free tutorials and school computer labs can help you practice.
  • Look for internships or assistant jobs at local TV stations, production companies, or event videography businesses. Real project experience is how most people get their first foot in the door.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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