Film and Television Editors

Film and television editors are not as highly paid as others working in their industry. They have less clout than directors or producers, but they have more authority in the production of a project than many others in the industry. The mean annual wage for editors in the motion picture and video industries was $92,070 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Those who worked for television and radio broadcasting stations earned $51,260, while those who employed by media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers made $82,310.

The lowest paid 10 percent of all film editors earned less than $38,990 a year in 2023, while the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $154,480, according to the DOL. The most experienced and sought-after film editors can command much higher salaries.

Benefits for full-time workers include vacation and sick time, health, and sometimes dental, insurance, and pension or 401(k) plans. Self-employed editors must provide their own benefits.