Range in Salary for a Freelance Video Editor

Basic Salary Information

Film and video editors earned a mean salary of $61,890 and a median salary of $50,930 in 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also reported that the lowest paid 10 percent earned $25,960 or less, while the highest-paid 10 percent earned $111,860 or more. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,120 and $74,470.

Many freelance video editors charge hourly rates rather than earn salaries. According to the BLS, the mean hourly rate for film and video editors in 2010 was $29.75, while the median hourly rate was $24.49. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned $12.48 an hour or less, while the highest-paid 10 percent earned $53.78 an hour or more. The middle 50 percent earned between $16.88 and $35.80 an hour in 2010.

The industry a video editor works in affects his salary. For example, film and video editors in the motion picture and video industry earned a mean salary of $68,680 and a mean hourly wage of $33.02 in 2010, according to the BLS. This industry was both the top-paying industry and the industry with the highest level of employment in 2010. Those in the radio and television broadcasting industry earned a mean salary of $54,810 and a mean hourly wage of $26.35. Film and video editors in the cable and other subscription-programming industry earned a mean salary of $51,090 and a mean hourly wage of $24.56 in 2010.

Geographic location of employment also affects salaries for freelance video editors. California had the highest level of employment for film and video editors in 2010. According to the BLS, video editors in California earned a mean salary of $84,790 and a mean hourly wage of $40.76. Comparatively, Florida had the second-highest level of employment, but paid much lower salaries with a mean salary of $39,520 and mean hourly wage of $19. California was the top-paying state, but Washington, D.C., was the second-highest paying location for film and video editors in 2010. Those employed in Washington, D.C., earned a mean salary of $71,820 and a mean hourly wage of $34.53.