Film and Video Editors salary in California
Film and Video Editors in California earn a median of $88,490 a year ($42.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,810 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $75,420. California ranks 4th of 42 states for film and video editors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.45 film and video editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for film and video editors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,020 | $20.20 |
| 25th percentile | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Median | $88,490 | $42.54 |
| 75th percentile | $128,630 | $61.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,810 | $81.64 |
| Average (mean) | $99,450 | $47.81 |
Half of film and video editors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,374.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,687.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,403.46 |
| Weekly | $1,701.73 |
| Hourly | $42.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $88,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Film and Video Editors salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $109,930 | 740 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $84,780 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,480 | 220 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $83,210 | 6,010 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $79,040 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $73,010 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $69,760 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $63,580 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for film and video editors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $103,440 |
| District of Columbia | $98,830 |
| Massachusetts | $92,130 |
| California | $88,490 |
| Colorado | $84,620 |
| Connecticut | $83,550 |
| New Jersey | $82,890 |
| Virginia | $78,740 |
| Maryland | $78,380 |
| Utah | $76,240 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Photographer | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $106,900 | $51.39 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Lighting Technician | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a film and video editors make in California?
The median salary for film and video editors in California is $88,490 a year, or $42.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid film and video editors make in California?
The top 10% of film and video editors in California earn at least $169,810 a year. The top 25% earn $128,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for film and video editors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,020 a year, and a quarter of film and video editors earn $60,810 or less.
How many film and video editors work in California?
About 8,110 film and video editors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.