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Film and video editors and camera operators

Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information

Film and video editors and camera operators in the United States earn a median salary of $75,100 per year — about $36 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 80K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +3%.

Median Salary

$75,100

~$36/hr · ~$6,258/mo

US Jobs

80K

As fast as average

AI & Automation Risk

7/10

High Risk

AI & Automation Risk

High Risk 7/10

This occupation is a hybrid of physical camera operation and digital video editing. While camera operators have a physical barrier to AI due to the need for on-site equipment management and real-world positioning, editors work entirely in digital environments where AI is rapidly automating tasks like color grading, sound syncing, and even rough-cut generation. The rise of generative video and AI-driven post-production tools significantly increases the productivity of each worker, potentially reducing the total number of editors needed for complex projects.

Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home

City-by-city salary data not available for this occupation. Showing national median only.