Film and video editors
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Film and Video Editors: Edit motion picture soundtracks, film, and video.
Television, video, and motion picture camera operators held about 28,000 jobs in 2004, and film and video editors held about 20,000. Many are employed by independent television stations, local affiliate stations of television networks or broadcast groups, large cable and television networks, or smaller independent production companies. About 1 in 5 camera operators were self-employed. Some self-employed camera operators contracted with television networks, documentary or independent filmmakers, advertising agencies, or trade show or convention sponsors to work on individual projects for a set fee, often at a daily rate.
Most of the salaried camera operators were employed by television broadcasting stations or motion picture studios. More than half of the salaried film and video editors worked for motion picture studios. Most camera operators and editors worked in large metropolitan areas.
Median annual earnings for television, video, and motion picture camera operators were $37,610 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $22,640 and $56,400. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $15,730, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,100. Median annual earnings were $48,900 in the motion picture and video industries and $29,560 in radio and television broadcasting.
Median annual earnings for film and video editors were $43,590 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,310 and $63,890. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,950. Median annual earnings were $44,710 in the motion picture and video industries, which employed the largest numbers of film and video editors.
Many camera operators who work in film or video are freelancers, whose earnings tend to fluctuate each year. Because most freelance camera operators purchase their own equipment, they incur considerable expense acquiring and maintaining cameras and accessories. Some camera operators belong to unions, including the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Film and video editors | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Manufacturing employment: 390 mean earnings: $41,120 (EC) (def) (IG) | $19,890 | $23,770 | $31,450 | $48,630 | $78,880 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 360 mean earnings: $40,390 | $19,700 | $23,230 | $29,650 | $43,670 | $84,290 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 130 mean earnings: $58,470 (EC) (def) (IG) | $23,570 | $26,750 | $42,670 | $84,450 | $108,260 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: n.a. mean earnings: $58,540 | $23,550 | $26,710 | $42,470 | $84,690 | $108,440 |
| Retail Trade employment: n.a. mean earnings: $65,850 (EC) (def) (IG) | $48,280 | $52,420 | $59,330 | $85,310 | $92,650 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: n.a. mean earnings: $69,190 | $50,430 | $54,320 | $60,790 | $86,620 | $93,210 |
| Information employment: 13,100 mean earnings: $56,450 (EC) (def) (IG) | $22,840 | $31,700 | $49,100 | $74,090 | $104,370 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 8,930 mean earnings: $60,320 | $24,360 | $35,480 | $52,400 | $80,910 | $108,940 |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 3,830 mean earnings: $49,390 | $20,760 | $28,370 | $41,730 | $66,230 | $88,840 |
| Telecommunications employment: 60 mean earnings: $36,830 | $19,000 | $28,870 | $32,440 | $47,450 | $63,830 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 750 mean earnings: $41,560 (EC) (def) (IG) | $21,580 | $31,440 | $38,800 | $46,080 | $57,090 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 750 mean earnings: $41,560 | $21,580 | $31,440 | $38,800 | $46,080 | $57,090 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 40 mean earnings: $52,220 (EC) (def) (IG) | $31,430 | $38,130 | $43,950 | $67,490 | $75,970 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: n.a. mean earnings: $52,220 | $31,430 | $38,130 | $43,950 | $67,490 | $75,970 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: n.a. mean earnings: $28,030 (EC) (def) (IG) | $15,460 | $17,580 | $22,090 | $26,070 | $61,060 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: n.a. mean earnings: $28,030 | $15,460 | $17,580 | $22,090 | $26,070 | $61,060 |
| Educational Services employment: 100 mean earnings: $47,720 (EC) (def) (IG) | $24,570 | $32,640 | $42,370 | $60,780 | $77,790 |
| Educational Services employment: 100 mean earnings: $47,720 | $24,570 | $32,640 | $42,370 | $60,780 | $77,790 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 200 mean earnings: $40,140 (EC) (def) (IG) | $20,200 | $25,070 | $33,170 | $51,240 | $70,000 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 170 mean earnings: $40,920 | $22,500 | $25,620 | $33,160 | $51,910 | $70,840 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 80 mean earnings: $46,470 (def) (IG) | $25,170 | $31,270 | $38,460 | $56,770 | $70,470 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 80 mean earnings: $46,470 | $25,170 | $31,270 | $38,460 | $56,770 | $70,470 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.