Film and Video Editor Salary
Film and Video Editors earn a median $75,420 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What film and video editors 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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.7% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 3,100
- Self-employed
- 36%
Employment of film and video editors is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Film and Video Editor take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,762
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,676
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,094
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$61,888
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,280 | $19.37 | $34,545 |
| 25th percentile | $52,720 | $25.35 | $44,541 |
| Median (50th) | $75,420 | $36.26 | $61,888 |
| 75th percentile | $105,310 | $50.63 | $82,916 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,550 | $71.42 | $112,800 |
Best cities for film and video editors (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $104,590 | $77,279 | $68,654 | 3,430 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $83,210 | $62,778 | $55,278 | 6,010 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $104,590
- Los Angeles, CA — $83,210
Film and Video Editor salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $103,440 | +1.0% | $76,537 | $55,990 – $172,280 | 3,710 |
| District of Columbia | $98,830 | −1.4% | $72,925 | $59,990 – $130,350 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $92,130 | +8.2% | $69,257 | $56,880 – $129,330 | 550 |
| California | $88,490 | +6.4% | $65,932 | $42,020 – $169,810 | 8,110 |
| Colorado | $84,620 | +49.7% | $65,345 | $50,830 – $131,030 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $83,550 | +38.2% | $64,587 | $47,560 – $134,390 | 600 |
| New Jersey | $82,890 | +0.0% | $64,053 | $49,070 – $170,410 | 620 |
| Virginia | $78,740 | −10.8% | $60,510 | $56,730 – $107,690 | — |
| Maryland | $78,380 | −3.2% | $60,611 | $51,850 – $124,090 | 250 |
| Utah | $76,240 | +21.3% | $60,000 | $39,000 – $110,000 | 370 |
| Alabama | $74,410 | +5.8% | $57,722 | $18,610 – $95,940 | 120 |
| Illinois | $72,460 | +23.6% | $56,364 | $46,710 – $116,720 | 310 |
| Oregon | $72,300 | +16.6% | $54,196 | $34,040 – $134,130 | 360 |
| Louisiana | $66,870 | +33.9% | $54,253 | $44,910 – $87,940 | 80 |
| Washington | $66,870 | +1.1% | $55,873 | $40,130 – $131,150 | 450 |
| Nevada | $65,720 | +9.6% | $54,986 | $48,020 – $115,680 | 320 |
| Vermont | $63,080 | +4.1% | $51,162 | $42,380 – $175,460 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $62,330 | +33.8% | $50,198 | $45,330 – $83,920 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $61,250 | −6.3% | $51,394 | $39,380 – $109,080 | 100 |
| Texas | $61,220 | +6.7% | $51,370 | $36,030 – $116,280 | 1,040 |
| Florida | $60,430 | +5.0% | $50,736 | $47,830 – $104,810 | 1,490 |
| North Carolina | $60,020 | +8.2% | $48,520 | $31,200 – $103,160 | 400 |
| Michigan | $59,100 | +0.9% | $47,406 | $41,600 – $107,210 | 360 |
| Missouri | $57,950 | +16.7% | $46,957 | $35,670 – $90,590 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $57,880 | +10.0% | $48,687 | $40,820 – $72,470 | 560 |
| Ohio | $56,410 | +10.1% | $46,737 | $28,280 – $91,110 | 340 |
| Nebraska | $55,810 | −3.5% | $45,364 | $43,270 – $81,800 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $55,210 | +14.2% | $44,602 | $34,800 – $79,510 | 100 |
| Idaho | $54,080 | +40.1% | $43,875 | $38,170 – $77,280 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $53,430 | −2.3% | $43,541 | $34,210 – $95,680 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $53,150 | −10.1% | $42,795 | $46,520 – $89,080 | 200 |
| Georgia | $51,280 | −1.8% | $41,345 | $33,280 – $131,220 | — |
| Kansas | $50,900 | +21.4% | $41,038 | $22,120 – $84,870 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $50,410 | +4.0% | $41,400 | $46,920 – $52,700 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $49,400 | +6.0% | $40,716 | $46,300 – $79,440 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $48,480 | +5.4% | $39,456 | $38,260 – $65,720 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $48,440 | +5.4% | $39,650 | $34,570 – $66,240 | 30 |
| Indiana | $46,780 | −1.6% | $38,417 | $37,720 – $68,540 | 450 |
| Arizona | $45,840 | −8.2% | $38,075 | $38,430 – $82,280 | 350 |
| Montana | $42,520 | −0.1% | $35,103 | $25,230 – $60,360 | 110 |
| South Dakota | $39,090 | −16.0% | $33,589 | $35,360 – $54,460 | 30 |
| Alaska | $38,800 | −8.1% | $33,356 | $38,230 – $65,340 | 30 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | Bachelor's degree | +1.3% |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -3.1% |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.6% |
| Lighting Technician | $68,060 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.8% |
| Broadcast Technician | $59,570 | Associate's degree | -3.1% |
| Audio and Video Technician | $58,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.9% |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $75,240 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | Bachelor's degree | +1.8% |
| Writer and Author | $76,910 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a film and video editor make?
The national median salary for film and video editors is $75,420 a year ($36.26 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,280 and the top 10% earn over $148,550. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays film and video editors the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $103,440. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many film and video editors are there in the U.S.?
About 25,610 people work as film and video editors nationwide.