Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Base salary plus target bonus using the Grahall equation. Bonus is a function of base; higher base means a higher target bonus.
Base salary
$89,000
National baseline
Target bonus
$3,000
3.5% of base
Total target cash
$92,000
Base plus target bonus
Bonus range (25th to 75th percentile):$2,000 to $5,000
Long-term incentive (LTI) varies by industry and executive tier and is not included in this view.
What Film and Video Editorss do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
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.
Top skills:Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive Learning
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Film and Video Editors pay by experience level
Entry level$41,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$54,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$78,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$109,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$153,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
3,600
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Film and Video Editors salary by industry
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries
13,520 workers
$96,500
Motion Picture and Video Industries
13,280 workers
$97,000
Broadcasting and Content Providers
3,270 workers
$86,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
3,220 workers
$73,500
Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, & Other Media Networks & Content Providers
2,390 workers
$94,500
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
950 workers
$75,500
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
910 workers
$72,500
Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations
890 workers
$64,500
Educational Services
840 workers
$61,500
Administrative and Support Services
820 workers
$112,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Film and Video Editors make?
The average base salary for a Film and Video Editors in the United States is $89,000 per year, or about $42.79 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $54,500 and $109,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media roles?
The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family averages $88,500 across 45 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Film and Video Editors pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
