Jobs / Design, media, and writing / 27-4032.00

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.

US jobs
25,610
Median wage
$75,420 a year
Job family
Design, media, and writing

Can agents do the work of film and video editors?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Design, media, and writing: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 35%Alter audio or video recordingsNot measured
  • 13%Coordinate artistic or entertainment activitiesNot measured
  • 7%Develop news, entertainment, or artistic contentNot measured
  • 7%Communicate with others about specifications or project detailsNot measured
  • 5%Evaluate the quality or accuracy of dataNot measured
  • 5%Study details of artistic productionsNot measured
  • 4%Create visual designs or displaysNot measured
  • 4%Mark materials or objects for identificationNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in design, media, and writing, not always this occupation's tasks.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Context only

These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.

  • GDPvalby OpenAIProject level · Wins plus ties against experts
    84.9%GPT-5.5 · Apr 2026
    Strong
  • GDPval-AAby Artificial AnalysisProject level · GDPval-AA Elo
    1846 EloClaude Opus 5.5 (Adaptive Reasoning, Max Effort, Default Fallback) · 23 Sep 2026
    Unrated
  • Remote Labor Indexby CAIS and Scale AIProject level · Automation rate
    15.8%Claude Fable 5 · 1 Jul 2026
    Open

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • 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.
  • Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
  • 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.
  • Program computerized graphic effects.
  • Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.
Other job titles for this occupation (25)

Editor · Film Editor · News Editor · News Video Editor · News Videotape Editor · Non-Linear Editor · Online Editor · Tape Editor · Television News Video Editor · Video Editor · Content Creator · Contract Video Editor · Cue Selector · Digital Media Coordinator · Digital Video Editor · Electronic News Gathering Editor (ENG Editor) · Filmmaker · Movie Editor · Multimedia Specialist · Optical Effects Layout Person · Video Content Creator · Video Production Editor · Video Tape Duplicator · Video Tape Transferrer · Videotape Editor