How to Become a Film and Video Editor
Assemble raw footage into finished stories for film, streaming, and social video. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $75,420 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$75,420/yr
Job growth
3%
Openings / yr
3,600
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Video Editing
- Storytelling
- Color and Sound Basics
- Editing Software
- Collaboration
Helpful certifications
- Adobe Certified Professional (Premiere Pro)
- Avid certification
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
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Work-life balance
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Stress level
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Satisfaction
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Related careers
- Art Director$114,850 median
- Animator / Special Effects Artist$102,030 median
- Industrial Designer$83,910 median
- Fashion Designer$80,960 median
- Editor$77,920 median
- Writer / Author$76,910 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Film and Video Editor make?
The median pay for a Film and Video Editor is $75,420 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Film and Video Editor?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Film and Media Production, Digital Media, and Communications.
Is Film and Video Editor a growing field?
The BLS projects about average demand for this role, about 3% over the decade, with roughly 3,600 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Film and Video Editor use most?
Common skills for this role are Video Editing, Storytelling, Color and Sound Basics, Editing Software, and Collaboration.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.