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Film and Video Editors in Illinois

Considering working as a Film and Video Editors in Illinois? Here’s what the data says. 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. Excludes “Sound Engineering Technicians” (27-4014).

What do Film and Video Editors Make in Illinois?

For a film and video editors working in Illinois, wages run about $58,620 per year (or about $28.18/hour).Annual wages span from $35,560 at the 10th percentile to $114,270 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$35,560	$17.10
25th percentile	$49,410	$23.75
Median (50th)	$58,620	$28.18
75th percentile	$78,880	$37.93
90th percentile	$114,270	$54.94

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Illinois nationwide is 0.44, indicating fewer film and video editors per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, film and video editors earn a median of $89,576 per year ($43.07/hour), lower than the Illinois median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 321,974 film and video editors nationwide. In Illinois alone, around 500 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 250 film and video editors.

Top Illinois Metros for Film and Video Editors

The metro areas below employ the most film and video editors in Illinois.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	410	$58,590

Top States for Film and Video Editors Employment

View the states that employ the most film and video editors work.

State	Number Employed
California	9,110
New York	4,060
Florida	1,190
Texas	1,100
Georgia	1,000
Pennsylvania	790
New Jersey	740
Washington	620
Colorado	590
Tennessee	560
Utah	530
Connecticut	510
Illinois	500
Ohio	500
Oregon	490
Michigan	480
Massachusetts	450
North Carolina	410
District of Columbia	400
Nevada	390

Highest-Paying States for Film and Video Editors

The highest-paying states for film and video editors.

State	Annual Median Salary
New York	$102,450
District of Columbia	$100,270
Virginia	$88,310
Massachusetts	$85,150
California	$83,200
New Jersey	$82,850
Maryland	$80,990
Alabama	$70,310
Washington	$66,110
New Hampshire	$65,360

Skills

Top film and video editors skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for film and video editors, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• 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.
• Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
• Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
• Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
• Manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to make the parts into a continuous whole, working closely with people in audio, visual, music, optical, or special effects departments.
• Program computerized graphic effects.
• Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Thinking Creatively
• Getting Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Processing Information

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software In-demand technologies: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software

Related Careers

Related occupations to film and video editors include:

• Video Game Designers
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
• Graphic Designers
• Producers and Directors
• Media Programming Directors
• Media Technical Directors/Managers

Also Known As

Content Creator, Contract Video Editor, Cue Selector, Digital Media Coordinator, Digital Video Editor, Editor, Electronic News Gathering Editor (ENG Editor), Film Editor, Filmmaker, Movie Editor, Multimedia Specialist, News Editor, News Video Editor, News Videotape Editor, Non-Linear Editor.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-4032.00