How much does a film and video editor make?
The median film and video editor in the United States earns $75,420 per year, about $36.26 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all film and video editors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-4032.
Film and video editor salary range
Pay for film and video editors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,280 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $148,550. The average (mean) wage of $86,130 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,280 | $19.37 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,720 | $25.35 | |
| Median (50th) | $75,420 | $36.26 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $105,310 | $50.63 | |
| 90th percentile | $148,550 | $71.42 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for film and video editors (SOC 27-4032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Film and video editor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Film and video editors earn the most in New York at $103,440 a year, and the least in Alaska at $38,800. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $103,440 | 3,710 |
| District of Columbia | $98,830 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $92,130 | 550 |
| California | $88,490 | 8,110 |
| Colorado | $84,620 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $83,550 | 600 |
| New Jersey | $82,890 | 620 |
| Virginia | $78,740 | N/A |
| Maryland | $78,380 | 250 |
| Utah | $76,240 | 370 |
| Alabama | $74,410 | 120 |
| Illinois | $72,460 | 310 |
| Oregon | $72,300 | 360 |
| Louisiana | $66,870 | 80 |
| Washington | $66,870 | 450 |
| Nevada | $65,720 | 320 |
| Vermont | $63,080 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $62,330 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $61,250 | 100 |
| Texas | $61,220 | 1,040 |
| Florida | $60,430 | 1,490 |
| North Carolina | $60,020 | 400 |
| Michigan | $59,100 | 360 |
| Missouri | $57,950 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $57,880 | 560 |
| Ohio | $56,410 | 340 |
| Nebraska | $55,810 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $55,210 | 100 |
| Idaho | $54,080 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $53,430 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $53,150 | 200 |
| Georgia | $51,280 | N/A |
| Kansas | $50,900 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $50,410 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $49,400 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $48,480 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $48,440 | 30 |
| Indiana | $46,780 | 450 |
| Arizona | $45,840 | 350 |
| Montana | $42,520 | 110 |
| South Dakota | $39,090 | 30 |
| Alaska | $38,800 | 30 |
State median wages for film and video editors (SOC 27-4032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for film and video editors
The BLS projects employment of film and video editors to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 39,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 40,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,100 openings a year for film and video editors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a film and video editor
The typical entry-level education for film and video editors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a film and video editor earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $103,440) and the lowest (Alaska, $38,800) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 25,610 people work as film and video editors in the United States. At $75,420 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Film and video editor salary FAQ
How much does a film and video editor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a film and video editor is $36.26. The middle half of film and video editors earn between $25.35 and $50.63 per hour.
What is the highest film and video editor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of film and video editors earn more than $148,550 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a film and video editor make a year?
The median annual salary for a film and video editor is $75,420. The average (mean) wage of $86,130 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a film and video editor a well paid job?
At $75,420 a year, a film and video editor earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 25,610 people work as film and video editors in the United States.
Which state pays film and video editors the most?
New York has the highest median salary for film and video editors at $103,440 a year. District of Columbia ($98,830) and Massachusetts ($92,130) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a film and video editor a good career?
Employment of film and video editors is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a film and video editor?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for film and video editors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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