Video/Film Editor

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Work Tasks

• Edit films, tapes, and sound tracks
• Pick the best scenes in a film; edit out bad scenes
• Add sounds and music to scenes
• Work in cutting rooms, projection rooms, and on shooting stages for motion picture companies, TV stations, video production houses, and themselves (as freelancers)
• Work with films, videotapes, editing machines, sound and music tracks, film splicers, and computer editing and digital processing equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $52,500 average per year ($25.25 per hour)
• A small occupation (19,900 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training as a technical or production assistant
• Employers Prefer: a 4-year degree in filmmaking
• Skills/Courses: College courses include editing, and how to use the latest filmmaking equipment and technology. Work experience in a university or college film department is very helpful.