Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Film and video editors work in a field that combines creativity, technology, and careful attention to detail. Nationally, there are about 44,000 people employed in this occupation, with projected employment growth of 4.0%. This suggests a steady flow of work, supported by about 4,000 annual openings. The national median salary of $70,980 reflects the potential for solid earnings, with higher pay available in some states and metro areas. Typical entry into this career involves a bachelor’s degree, along with strengths in creativity and innovation, computers and information technology, and strong speaking, listening, and writing skills. Detail orientation, critical and analytical thinking, and project management are also important. People considering this path may also want to explore related roles such as graphic designers, special effects artists and animators, disc jockeys, broadcast announcers, and desktop publishers as alternative or complementary career options within creative and media-focused work.
Film and video editors earn a national median annual salary of $70,980, with notable variation by location. Some states offer higher median pay, such as New York at $103,440, Massachusetts at $92,130, and California at $88,490. Among the top metro areas, salaries are even higher in several markets: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont shows a median of $109,930, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands at $104,590, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria offers $91,750. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also provide median salaries above or near the national figure. These differences mean that earning potential can change significantly based on where editors work. For those able to pursue opportunities in higher-paying states or metropolitan areas, salary prospects can be substantially stronger than the national median, while other locations may align more closely with national levels.
Film and video editors have national employment of about 44,000, with projected employment growth of 4.0%. This growth rate is consistent across the top states and metro areas listed, with each showing the same 4.0% projection. The occupation is expected to have around 4,000 annual openings, indicating a recurring need for new or replacement workers each year. This combination of existing employment, projected growth, and steady openings points to ongoing opportunities for both new entrants and experienced editors looking to move or advance. Because the growth projection is uniform across highlighted locations, job seekers can compare areas primarily on other factors such as salary and employment size. Overall, the data suggests a stable path with room for career movement over time, supported by recurrent openings and a clear, measurable growth outlook.
Location plays a significant role in the opportunity landscape for film and video editors. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York stand out with higher median salaries and strong CareerGPS opportunity scores, led by California’s score of 67.38 and New York’s median salary of $103,440. New York employs 3,710 editors, while California has 8,110, offering large employment bases. Colorado and Washington also appear among the top states, with median salaries of $84,620 and $66,870 and opportunity scores above 56. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City leads with the highest opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $104,590. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont shows the highest listed metro salary at $109,930. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim combines a large employment level of 6,010 with a median salary of $83,210. These differences give job seekers options to prioritize salary, employment concentration, or overall opportunity score when choosing where to focus their search.
Film and video editors typically enter the field with a bachelor’s degree. This educational background supports the diverse skill set reflected in the occupation’s top skills. Strong creativity and innovation combine with computers and information technology skills, suggesting that both artistic and technical capabilities are important. Speaking and listening, along with writing and reading, highlight the need for clear communication throughout editing projects. Detail orientation and critical and analytical thinking are central to reviewing footage and making informed editing decisions. Interpersonal skills and customer service support collaboration with clients and colleagues, while project management helps editors organize timelines and deliverables. Adaptability rounds out the profile, indicating that editors benefit from being able to adjust to changing project needs. Overall, the typical bachelor’s degree, reinforced by this mix of creative, technical, and people-focused skills, forms a strong foundation for success in this career.
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