Film and Video Editor or Camera Operator

Film and video editors and camera operators manipulate images that entertain or inform an audience. Camera operators capture a wide range of material for television, movies, and other media. Editors arrange footage shot by camera operators and collaborate with producers and directors to create the final content.

Film and video editors and camera operators typically do the following:

• Shoot and record television programs, films, music videos, documentaries, or news and sporting events
• Organize digital footage with video-editing software
• Collaborate with a director to determine the overall vision of the production
• Discuss filming and editing techniques with a director to improve a scene
• Select the appropriate equipment, such as the type of lens or lighting
• Shoot or edit a scene based on the director’s vision

Camera operators, television, video, and film held about 33,700 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of camera operators, television, video, and film were as follows:

Self-employed workers	35%
Motion picture and video industries	25
Radio and television broadcasting	10
Professional, scientific, and technical services	10
Government	2

Film and video editors held about 48,100 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of film and video editors were as follows:

Motion picture and video industries	39%
Self-employed workers	36
Professional, scientific, and technical services	7
Television broadcasting	5

Film and video editors and camera operators typically work in studios or offices. Camera operators and videographers often shoot raw footage on location.

Film and video editors work in editing rooms by themselves, or with producers and directors, for many hours at a time. Cinematographers and operators who shoot for movies or television may film on location and be away from home for months at a time. Operators who travel usually must carry heavy equipment to their shooting locations.

Some camera operators work in uncomfortable or even dangerous conditions, such as severe weather, military conflicts, and natural disasters. They may have to stand for long periods waiting for an event to take place. They may carry heavy equipment while on shooting assignment.

Work Schedules

Most film and video editors and camera operators work full time, although part-time work is common. Work hours often vary with the type of operator or editor. Those who work in broadcasting may put in additional hours to meet a deadline. Those who work in the motion picture industry may have busy schedules while filming, but they go through a period of looking for work once a film is complete and before they are hired for their next job.

Film and video editors and camera operators typically need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to film or broadcasting.

Education

Film and video editors and camera operators typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. The degree is often in film, broadcasting, or a related fine and performing arts or communications field. Many colleges offer courses in cinematography or video-editing software. Coursework involves a mix of film theory with practical training.

Film and video editors and camera operators must have an understanding of digital cameras and editing software because both are now used on film sets.

Training

Employers may offer new employees training in the type of specialized editing software those employers use. Most editors eventually specialize in one type of software, but beginners should be familiar with as many types as possible.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Editors may demonstrate competence in various types of editing software by earning certification, which is generally offered by software vendors. Certification requires passing a comprehensive exam, and candidates can prepare for the exam on their own, through online tutorials, or through classroom instruction.

Advancement

Experienced film and video editors and camera operators with creativity and leadership skills can advance to overseeing their own projects. For more information, see the profile on producers and directors.

Film and video editors and camera operators typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Creating interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Creating interest area indicates a focus on being original and imaginative, and working with artistic media.

If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Creating interest which might fit with a career as a film and video editor and camera operator, you can take a career test to measure your interests.

Film and video editors and camera operators should also possess the following specific qualities:

Communication skills. Film and video editors and camera operators must communicate with other members of a production team, including the director, to ensure that the project goes smoothly.

Computer skills. Film and video editors must use sophisticated editing software.

Creativity. Film and video editors and camera operators should be able to imagine what the result of their filming or editing will look like to an audience.

Detail oriented. Editors look at every frame of film and decide what should be kept and what should be cut to make the best content.

Hand–eye coordination. Camera operators need to be able to move about the action while holding a camera steady.

Visual skills. Camera operators must be able to see clearly what they are filming.

The median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and film was $49,230 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,160, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,380.

The median annual wage for film and video editors was $62,680 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,060, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $138,910.

In May 2021, the median annual wages for camera operators, television, video, and film in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Motion picture and video industries	$54,500
Government	53,210
Professional, scientific, and technical services	49,700
Radio and television broadcasting	47,240

In May 2021, the median annual wages for film and video editors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Motion picture and video industries	$63,140
Professional, scientific, and technical services	60,360
Television broadcasting	49,100

Most film and video editors and camera operators work full time, although part-time work is common. Work hours often vary with the type of operator or editor. Those who work in broadcasting may put in additional hours to meet a deadline. Those who work in the motion picture industry may have busy schedules while filming, but they go through a period of looking for work once a film is complete and before they are hired for their next job.

Overall employment of film and video editors and camera operators is projected to grow 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 9,400 openings for film and video editors and camera operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. 

Employment

Projected employment of film and video editors and camera operators varies by occupation (see table).

The number of online-only platforms, such as streaming services, is likely to increase, along with the number of shows produced for these platforms. This growth may lead to more work for film and video editors and camera operators.

The consolidation of roles—such as editors who determine the best angles for a shoot, the use of robotic cameras, and the increasing reliance on amateur film footage—may lead to fewer jobs for camera operators. However, more film and video editors are expected to be needed because of an increase in special effects and overall available content.

For more information about film and video editors and camera operators, visit

Motion Picture Editors Guild

 

 

Where does this information come from?

The career information above is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. This excellent resource for occupational data is published by the U.S. Department of Labor every two years. Truity periodically updates our site with information from the BLS database.

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I am not sure if this career is right for me. How can I decide?

There are many excellent tools available that will allow you to measure your interests, profile your personality, and match these traits with appropriate careers. On this site, you can take the Career Personality Profiler assessment, the Holland Code assessment, or the Photo Career Quiz.