27 Series · SOC 27-4032
Film and Video Editors Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $75,420
- Median / year
- $148,550
- Top 10% earn
- +4%
- Growth '23–'33
- 25,610
- US workers
Film and Video Editors earn a median of $75,420 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $75,420, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $40,280 (10th percentile) to $148,550 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 25,610 US workers. New York pays the most ($103,440), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Film and Video Editors earn a median of $75,420, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 67% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media, it ranks #9 of 36 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2033.
- $75,420
- Median annual wage
- Top 33%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #9 of 36
- in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- 3.7×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: New York at $103,440. Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Film and Video Editors (SOC 27-4032) pays a national median of $75,420 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $40,280 at the 10th percentile to $148,550 at the 90th, with a mean of $86,130 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 25,610 Americans work in this occupation across 43 reporting states and 76 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +4% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as about average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 3,600 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Bachelor's degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.6 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.5 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. New York pays the highest state median at $103,440, which is +37% above the national figure. The top metro is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $109,930 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$75,420
per year
Median Hourly
$36.26/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$86,130
average
Employment
25,610
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Film and Video Editors pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$75,420 Top 33% higher than 67% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 27-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Film and Video Editors; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 24 27-series occupations with growth data, Film and Video Editors sits on the slower-growing side at +4% growth and $75,420 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+4%
About average
Annual Openings
3,600
per year (projected)
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Very Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
0.6/100K
Injury Rate
0.5/100
Danger Index
2.3/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Film and Video Editors roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
- ▸ Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
- ▸ Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
- ▸ Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
- ▸ Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
- ▸ Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
- ▸ Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
- ▸ Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
- ▸ Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
- ▸ Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$40,280
25th Percentile
$52,720
Median
$75,420
75th Percentile
$105,310
90th Percentile
$148,550
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 43 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $103,440 | +37% above national |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $98,830 | +31% above national |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $92,130 | +22% above national |
| 4 | California | $88,490 | +17% above national |
| 5 | Colorado | $84,620 | +12% above national |
| 6 | Connecticut | $83,550 | +11% above national |
| 7 | New Jersey | $82,890 | +10% above national |
| 8 | Virginia | $78,740 | +4% above national |
| 9 | Maryland | $78,380 | +4% above national |
| 10 | Utah | $76,240 | +1% above national |
| 11 | Alabama | $74,410 | 1% below national |
| 12 | Illinois | $72,460 | 4% below national |
| 13 | Oregon | $72,300 | 4% below national |
| 14 | Louisiana | $66,870 | 11% below national |
| 15 | Washington | $66,870 | 11% below national |
| 16 | Nevada | $65,720 | 13% below national |
| 17 | Vermont | $63,080 | 16% below national |
| 18 | Kentucky | $62,330 | 17% below national |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $61,250 | 19% below national |
| 20 | Texas | $61,220 | 19% below national |
| 21 | Florida | $60,430 | 20% below national |
| 22 | North Carolina | $60,020 | 20% below national |
| 23 | Michigan | $59,100 | 22% below national |
| 24 | Missouri | $57,950 | 23% below national |
| 25 | Tennessee | $57,880 | 23% below national |
| 26 | Ohio | $56,410 | 25% below national |
| 27 | Nebraska | $55,810 | 26% below national |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $55,210 | 27% below national |
| 29 | Idaho | $54,080 | 28% below national |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $53,430 | 29% below national |
| 31 | Minnesota | $53,150 | 30% below national |
| 32 | Georgia | $51,280 | 32% below national |
| 33 | Kansas | $50,900 | 33% below national |
| 34 | Mississippi | $50,410 | 33% below national |
| 35 | New Mexico | $49,400 | 35% below national |
| 36 | Arkansas | $48,480 | 36% below national |
| 37 | West Virginia | $48,440 | 36% below national |
| 38 | Indiana | $46,780 | 38% below national |
| 39 | Arizona | $45,840 | 39% below national |
| 40 | Puerto Rico | $44,490 | 41% below national |
| 41 | Montana | $42,520 | 44% below national |
| 42 | South Dakota | $39,090 | 48% below national |
| 43 | Alaska | $38,800 | 49% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 76 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $109,930 | +46% above national |
| 2 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $104,590 | +39% above national |
| 3 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $93,600 | +24% above national |
| 4 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $91,750 | +22% above national |
| 5 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $88,910 | +18% above national |
| 6 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $84,780 | +12% above national |
| 7 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $83,550 | +11% above national |
| 8 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,480 | +11% above national |
| 9 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $83,230 | +10% above national |
| 10 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $83,210 | +10% above national |
| 11 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $80,480 | +7% above national |
| 12 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $79,810 | +6% above national |
| 13 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $79,560 | +5% above national |
| 14 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $79,040 | +5% above national |
| 15 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $78,660 | +4% above national |
| 16 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $78,210 | +4% above national |
| 17 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $75,420 | same as national |
| 18 | Birmingham, AL | $74,410 | 1% below national |
| 19 | Rochester, NY | $73,680 | 2% below national |
| 20 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $73,130 | 3% below national |
| 21 | Fresno, CA | $73,010 | 3% below national |
| 22 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $72,300 | 4% below national |
| 23 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $71,990 | 5% below national |
| 24 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $71,370 | 5% below national |
| 25 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $69,760 | 8% below national |
| 26 | Ogden, UT | $69,120 | 8% below national |
| 27 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $68,100 | 10% below national |
| 28 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $67,620 | 10% below national |
| 29 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $65,830 | 13% below national |
| 30 | Boise City, ID | $65,460 | 13% below national |
| 31 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $65,360 | 13% below national |
| 32 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $65,000 | 14% below national |
| 33 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $64,640 | 14% below national |
| 34 | Reno, NV | $64,220 | 15% below national |
| 35 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $63,790 | 15% below national |
| 36 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $63,680 | 16% below national |
| 37 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $63,580 | 16% below national |
| 38 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $62,320 | 17% below national |
| 39 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $61,950 | 18% below national |
| 40 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $60,470 | 20% below national |
| 41 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $60,300 | 20% below national |
| 42 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,200 | 20% below national |
| 43 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $60,140 | 20% below national |
| 44 | New Haven, CT | $60,130 | 20% below national |
| 45 | Springfield, MO | $60,000 | 20% below national |
| 46 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $59,990 | 20% below national |
| 47 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $59,700 | 21% below national |
| 48 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $59,680 | 21% below national |
| 49 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $59,280 | 21% below national |
| 50 | Cleveland, OH | $59,220 | 21% below national |
| 51 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $59,100 | 22% below national |
| 52 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $58,050 | 23% below national |
| 53 | Omaha, NE-IA | $56,990 | 24% below national |
| 54 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $56,680 | 25% below national |
| 55 | Albuquerque, NM | $56,330 | 25% below national |
| 56 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $55,290 | 27% below national |
| 57 | Oklahoma City, OK | $55,210 | 27% below national |
| 58 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $55,160 | 27% below national |
| 59 | Colorado Springs, CO | $55,120 | 27% below national |
| 60 | Jacksonville, FL | $55,120 | 27% below national |
| 61 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $54,620 | 28% below national |
| 62 | Pittsburgh, PA | $54,510 | 28% below national |
| 63 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $52,850 | 30% below national |
| 64 | Knoxville, TN | $51,830 | 31% below national |
| 65 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $51,750 | 31% below national |
| 66 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $50,350 | 33% below national |
| 67 | Lincoln, NE | $50,310 | 33% below national |
| 68 | Tallahassee, FL | $48,270 | 36% below national |
| 69 | Madison, WI | $47,360 | 37% below national |
| 70 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $47,340 | 37% below national |
| 71 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,740 | 38% below national |
| 72 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $45,750 | 39% below national |
| 73 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $45,010 | 40% below national |
| 74 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $44,990 | 40% below national |
| 75 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $44,830 | 41% below national |
| 76 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $44,490 | 41% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 27 (arts design entertainment sports and media) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Film and Video Editors make? ▼
What state pays Film and Video Editors the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Film and Video Editors? ▼
How dangerous is being a Film and Video Editors? ▼
Is Film and Video Editors a good career? ▼
How does Film and Video Editors pay vary by state? ▼
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What to do with this data
How to use Film and Video Editors pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $105,310/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: New York leads at $103,440/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.