Film and Video Editors manipulate images that entertain or inform an audience. Camera operators capture a wide range of material for TV shows, motion pictures, music videos, documentaries, or news and sporting events. Editors take footage shot by camera operators and organize it into a final product. They collaborate with producers and directors to create the final production.
Many camera operators have one or more assistants working under their supervision. The assistants set up the camera equipment and may be responsible for its storage and care. They also help the operator determine the best shooting angle and make sure that the camera stays in focus.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Film and Video Editors operators manipulate images that entertain or inform an audience. Camera operators capture a wide range of material for TV shows, motion pictures, music videos, documentaries, or news and sporting events. Editors take footage shot by camera operators and organize it into a final product. They collaborate with producers and directors to create the final production.
Many camera operators have one or more assistants working under their supervision. The assistants set up the camera equipment and may be responsible for its storage and care. They also help the operator determine the best shooting angle and make sure that the camera stays in focus.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Job Prospects
Most job openings are projected to be in entertainment hubs such as New York and Los Angeles because specialized editing workers are in demand there. Still, film and video editors and camera operators will face strong competition for jobs. Those with more experience at a TV station or on a film set should have the best prospects. Video editors can improve their prospects by developing skills with different types of specialized editing software.
Employment projections data for film and video editors and camera operators, 2016-26
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | Employment by Industry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||||
| Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors | 27-4030 | 59,300 | 66,900 | 13 | 7,600 |  xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment projections data for film and video editors and camera operators, 2016-26
| Occupational Title |
|---|
| Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors |
| SOC Code |
| 27-4030 |
| Employment, 2016 |
| 59,300 |
| Projected Employment, 2026 |
| 66,900 |
| CHANGE, 2016-26 |
| PERCENT |
| 13 |
| NUMERIC |
| 7,600 |
| EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY |
| xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Pay
The median annual wage for camera operators, television, video, and motion picture was $53,550 in May 2017. 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 $25,580, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $102,980.
The median annual wage for film and video editors was $61,180 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,040, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $163,440.
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $59,240 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical services | $52,600 |
| Government | $51,430 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | $47,410 |
Work hours vary with the type of operator or editor, although most work full time. Those who work in broadcasting may put in long hours to meet a deadline. Those who work in the motion picture industry may have long, irregular hours while filming, but 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
Median annual wages, May 2017
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Job Outlook
Employment of film and video editors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Employment of camera operators is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
The number of Internet-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 editors and camera operators.
In broadcasting, 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.
Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-26
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Run Your First Background Check for Film and Video Editors
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| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
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| JOB DUTIES |
| Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $58,770 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Multimedia Artists and Animators |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Multimedia artists and animators create animation and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other forms of media. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $70,530 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
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| Photographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that tell a story or record an event. |
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| $32,490 |
|
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| Producers and Directors |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $71,620 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts inform the public about news and events happening internationally, nationally, and locally. They report the news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Bachelor's Degree |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $40,910 |
Free Staffing Resources
Professional Recruiter and Staffing Organizations
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National Association of Personnel Services
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Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals
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American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment
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National Association of Executive Recruiters
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National Association for Health Care Recruitment
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Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association
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American Staffing Association
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Top Echelon Recruiting Network
