Video Editor job description: duties, skills and qualifications.

Core duties

13

O*NET task statements

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

considerable preparation

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

BLS 2025–35

Median pay

$75,420

BLS May 2025

Data Government data groups this job as Film and Video Editors (O*NET-SOC 27-4032.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers. importance 4.7 of 5
2. Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment. importance 4.6 of 5
3. Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story. importance 4.6 of 5
4. Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product. importance 4.5 of 5
5. Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product. importance 4.5 of 5
6. Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect. importance 4.4 of 5
7. Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible. importance 4.4 of 5
8. Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary. importance 4.4 of 5
9. Verify key numbers and time codes on materials. importance 4.2 of 5
10. 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. importance 4.1 of 5
11. Program computerized graphic effects. importance 4.1 of 5
12. Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements. importance 4.0 of 5
13. Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities. importance 3.8 of 5

Work activities O*NET rates most important here: Working with Computers, Thinking Creatively, Getting Information, Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge and Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.

Also part of the job

Supplemental tasks O*NET lists for this occupation: less central than the core duties above, and not done in every job.

• 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.
• Record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.
• Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs.
• Discuss the sound requirements of pictures with sound effects editors.
• Piece sounds together to develop film soundtracks.

Knowledge areas: Communications and Media, English Language, Computers and Electronics, Telecommunications and Fine Arts.

Software O*NET lists for this occupation: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, TikTok. These are examples O*NET records for the job, not a list of tools every employer uses or a checklist of what you must know.

• Education: BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education.
• Experience: BLS lists no work experience in a related occupation as typical to enter.
• Training on the job: BLS lists no typical on-the-job training once hired.
• Preparation: O*NET places the job in Job Zone 4 of 5 (considerable preparation). A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.
• Licenses and certifications: not listed here. A license is a legal requirement set by a state; a certification is a credential from a private or professional body. Rules vary by state and employer, and a missing entry on this page does not mean none is required: check with your state's licensing board and see how to become a video editor.

Most video editors surveyed by O*NET (65%) name a bachelor's degree as the education the job requires.

Job title: Video Editor
[Company] · [City, State] · [Full-time or part-time] · [Pay range, where your state requires one]

About the role
[Company] is hiring a Video Editor to edit moving images on film, video, or other media.
[One sentence on your team and why this role matters.]

What you will do
- 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.

What we are looking for
- [Education: BLS lists a bachelor's degree as typical for this occupation; set the level this role truly needs]
- [Experience: BLS lists no related work experience as typical to enter; set what this role needs]
- Strength in active listening, critical thinking and reading comprehension
- Working knowledge of Communications and Media and English Language
- [Software your team uses, e.g. Adobe After Effects or Adobe Creative Cloud software]
- [Any license or certification your state or company requires]

[Schedule, benefits and how to apply]

Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.

Not a real job posting. This template is TryHired's illustration built from government occupational data. It is not an opening at any employer, and no employer wrote it.

The median annual wage was $75,420 in May 2025. The median hourly wage was $36.26. BLS estimates about 25,610 jobs in this occupation in the U.S.

BLS projects employment of Film and Video Editors to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 3,100 openings a year over that period, including openings to replace workers who leave.

See the full video editor salary breakdown by percentile, state and metro.

• Read a real video editor posting next to the core duties above. Duties it repeats, such as “Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole…”, tell you what that employer weighs most; anything it adds is specific to that team.
• Tailor your resume to the posting, not to this page: describe only video editor work you have actually done, with your own results.
• Prepare a story for each of the top-rated skills (active listening and critical thinking); video editor interview questions turns them into practice questions.