Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Film and Video Editors
Film and Video Editors 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Film and Video Editors 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.
- Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
- Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
- Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
- Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Film and Video Editors trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect. They determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
A typical day for a Film and Video Editor will also include:
- Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
- Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
- Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
- Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
- Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Film and Video Editors also conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staff. They may also review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Film and Video Editors study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements. They might also record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.
In addition, they program computerized graphic effects.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to make the parts into a continuous whole, working closely with people in audio, visual, music, optical, or special effects departments.
To some Film and Video Editors, it is also their responsibility to confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase the dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
56% said they were satisfied with their job and 29% said they found their job meaningful.
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Pros
Suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Film and Video Editors with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $34,870 to $47,240 per year or $17 to $23 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $152,720 | $73 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $100,830 | $48 |
| Median | $67,250 | $32 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $47,240 | $23 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $34,870 | $17 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Film and Video Editors based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Services | $96150 | $46.23 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $93610 | $45.01 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $83230 | $40.01 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $75690 | $36.39 |
| Telecommunications | $75340 | $36.22 |
| Spectator Sports | $74160 | $35.65 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $71920 | $34.58 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $71320 | $34.29 |
| Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events | $71090 | $34.18 |
| Software Publishers | $69680 | $33.50 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Film and Video Editors work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Film and Video Editors including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | 14100 | $93610 | $45.01 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 2480 | $62100 | $29.86 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 920 | $83230 | $40.01 |
| Other Information Services | 640 | $ | $* |
| Cable and Other Subscription Programming | 490 | $ | $* |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 340 | $69010 | $33.18 |
| Employment Services | 330 | $96150 | $46.23 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 310 | $53250 | $25.60 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 300 | $67030 | $32.23 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 220 | $48720 | $23.42 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Cinematography and Film/Video Production
Documentary Production
Radio and Television
Communications Technology
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology
Photojournalism
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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