Film and Video Editors Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Film and Video Editors in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$88,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $75,420
State Rank
#4 of 42
8,110 employed here

How much do Film and Video Editors make in California?

Film and Video Editors working in California earn a median salary of $88,490 per year, or about $42.54 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $75,420 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $42,020 while the top 10% make $169,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,810 and $128,630 a year.

Film and Video Editors salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,020$20.20
25th percentile (early career)$60,810$29.24
50th percentile (median)$88,490$42.54
75th percentile (experienced)$128,630$61.84
90th percentile (top earners)$169,810$81.64

How California compares

California ranks 4th out of 42 states and territories for Film and Video Editors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$103,440
2District of Columbia$98,830
3Massachusetts$92,130
4California$88,490
5Colorado$84,620

Working as Film and Video Editors in California

Nationally, about 26,000 people work as Film and Video Editors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($88,490) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Film and Video Editors make in California?
The median Film and Video Editors salary in California is $88,490 per year, or about $42.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,020 at the entry level to $169,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Film and Video Editors about 17% more than the national median of $75,420. California ranks 4th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Film and Video Editors?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $88,490 a year. About 8,110 Film and Video Editors are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Film and Video Editors salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.