Also called: Editor, Picture Editor
Assembles raw footage into a finished film, show, or video, shaping its story, pace, and emotion.
An editor watches hours of footage, picks the best takes, and cuts scenes together so a joke lands or a scare hits. They spend long days in a dark room with the director, trying versions until it feels right.
Union (Motion Picture Editors Guild) editors on features and series earn far above the median; YouTube and corporate editors earn less.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Film degree common; many learn on their own and start as assistant editors.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Film Production, Media Studies, Communications.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS projects about average growth for film and video editors and camera operators.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI auto-cuts social, corporate and rough edits, thinning entry gigs; shaping story, pacing and emotion on bigger projects stays human.
Classes: Film/video production CTE, English literature, Music, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-4032.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.