Film and Video Editor salary
From 126 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 27-4032: Film and Video Editors
- Also filed as: Video Editor
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 52% of Film and Video Editor filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 35% since FY2020. From $45,760 in FY2020 to $61,547 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Film and Video Editor H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 126 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Film and Video Editor jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 27-4032, Film and Video Editors). The median base salary is $60,000, 51% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $55,120 and $74,970. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 52% of filings.
Is your Film and Video Editor offer competitive?
Enter the base salary in your offer. We compare it with certified H-1B filings for Film and Video Editor jobs, nationally or in one metro area.
Enter a salary to see where it falls.
Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 52% of filings
Mid-level · 29% of filings
Senior · 10% of filings
Expert · 10% of filings
Level medians mix different jobs, so a higher level can show a lower median. Within one job, pay rises with level.
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $55,890 | 65 |
| Level II · Qualified | $73,154 | 36 |
| Level III · Experienced | $81,280 | 12 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $72,800 | 13 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Film and Video Editor pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 2 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $70,720 | 37 |
| New York, NY | $61,547 | 18 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Film and Video Editor does
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.
Typical tasks
- 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.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Film and Video Editors (27-4032.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Film and Video Editors), the median annual wage was $75,420 in May 2025, with 25,610 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $60,000, 20% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,840 | $40,280 |
| 25th percentile | $55,120 | $52,720 |
| Median | $60,000 | $75,420 |
| 75th percentile | $74,970 | $105,310 |
| 90th percentile | $96,000 | $148,550 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,840 |
| 25th | $55,120 |
| 50th (median) | $60,000 |
| 75th | $74,970 |
| 90th | $96,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $45,760 | $41,819 | $62,255 | 39 |
| FY2021 | $61,173 | $50,066 | $73,070 | 25 |
| FY2022 | $54,080 | $49,088 | $65,000 | 46 |
| FY2023 | $57,501 | $46,925 | $65,000 | 61 |
| FY2024 | $57,595 | $47,970 | $70,120 | 55 |
| FY2025 | $57,125 | $54,952 | $72,800 | 76 |
| FY2026 | $61,547 | $57,034 | $77,438 | 50 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Film and Video Editor make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Film and Video Editor jobs is $60,000 (126 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $55,120 and $74,970.
What does an entry-level Film and Video Editor earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $55,890. Level I accounts for 52% of Film and Video Editor filings.
Do H-1B Film and Video Editors earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($60,000) is 20% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($75,420, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.