Video Editing Job Outlook

Visual media engagement is ubiquitous throughout a typical day. Whether it’s the morning news with your first cup of coffee, the commercials playing as you stand in line at the supermarket, or family movie night, all these media forms require video editors' expertise. This popular profession is becoming increasingly relevant as social media and streaming platforms grow and thrive. 

In this age of digital media, almost every industry is looking for Video Editors to help advertise their products and services, educate the public on recent events or legislation, or keep viewers entertained and engaged. With Video Editor job growth projected to increase, there has never been a better time to learn the technical and soft skills needed to excel in this career path. Keep reading to learn more about this highly relevant job and its projected influence over the next few decades. 

What is a Video Editor?

If you’re looking for a career that combines your artistic and organizational skills into a cohesive, creative experience, consider pursuing training as a Video Editor. Video Editors are responsible for compiling, editing, and producing different types of audio and visual content into a coherent and unique form of media. They frequently work with advertisers, filmmakers, directors, social media companies, and other visual media fields to create seamless and compelling narratives. 

Video Editors use professional-grade applications such as Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro to transform raw footage shot onsite or at a soundstage into the modern movie masterpieces we see on our screens today. Editing includes smoothing the transitions between camera angles, removing background noises, and adding sound and visual effects. Video editors also transform ordinary greenscreens and tennis balls into fantastical landscapes and mythical figures. 

Read more about the responsibilities of a Video Editor.

What is the Job Outlook for Graphic Design?

If you are a creative person pursuing your passion, you are probably very familiar with family members wondering if “you are going to be able to get a job in that field.” Luckily, Video Editors are needed in most public-facing industries with the rise of streaming platforms, social media, and other visual forms of advertisement and communication. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that video editor jobs will grow faster than the national average over the next ten years, especially as more professionals retire and more industries seek new ways of engaging audiences. 

Depending on experience level and familiarity with the latest version of editing software, a Video Editor can easily expect to make $60,000 to $72,000 per year, with states such as New York, New Hampshire, California, and Connecticut offering the highest wages. Many Video Editors have at least a bachelor’s degree in filmmaking or cinematography. Nevertheless, professionals can still be eligible for higher salaries by learning new editing programs and refining their skills. The motion picture and video industries are frequently the largest employers of Video Editors, followed by cable, radio, sound recording, and independent artists and contractors.

How Do I Find a Video Editor Job?

When it comes to landing a job in video editing or any of its related careers, two crucial elements are your portfolio and knowing where to look for open positions. Your portfolio serves as a tangible representation of your skills, experience, and creativity. That’s why it’s necessary to curate your best work when creating a standout portfolio. Ensure it showcases your technical abilities and creative vision, and remember to include any distinctive projects that might set you apart from other candidates. Tailor your portfolio to the job you're applying for by including relevant work samples and highlighting buzzwords in the job listing.

Finding open careers can be achieved through several routes. Online job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor are valuable resources for current job listings. Industry-specific websites and forums may also post job opportunities. Networking is another fruitful approach; attending industry events or connecting with professionals in the field can lead to job opportunities that may not be publicly advertised. There are also freelancing sites like Upwork and Dribbble that provide a platform for hiring talent. These sites allow employers to hire professionals on a short-term or contract basis, enabling them to try different skill sets for their projects.

Learn the Skills to Become a Video Editor at Noble Desktop

Are you excited to begin your Video Editor career but need help figuring out where to start? Don’t stress! Noble Desktop is here to help! Noble Desktop offers many resources relevant to video editors at each leg of their professional journey. Professionals looking for a road map to entering or building their careers can explore training opportunities and career paths through Noble Desktop’s Learn Video Editing Page. Editors looking for a comprehensive overview of educational and practical training opportunities offered live online and in-person should check out Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Topic Page. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the video editing profession and relevant editing applications that professionals regularly use. 

Video Editors use various professional-grade applications to design and create their projects. But how do you determine which programs to add to your tool kit? Noble Desktop provides a comprehensive archive of learning resources that detail the functionality, level of learning difficulty, and cost of learning different applications. Foundationally, most professionals are well-versed in video editing software such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. If you are already established in the field and looking to gain a competitive edge in the job market, consider learning more about motion graphics software like After Effects or 3D animation and modeling through Cinema 4D.

As you explore these sophisticated visual graphics programs, you will likely recognize that learning these intricate programs on your own can be a lonely and complicated process. Luckily, Noble Desktop offers live online and in-person courses for video editors at all stages of their careers. For example, professionals ready to dive into the video editing field may want to enroll in a Premiere Pro Bootcamp or After Effects in a Day course. These fast-paced classes are an excellent way to rapidly build your video editing skills with the guidance of an experienced instructor. Video Editors looking to diversify their portfolios and demonstrate their skills to potential employers can pursue a Video Editing Certificate or a Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate. Students gain robust hands-on experience through small class sizes and project-based learning opportunities. Noble Desktop even offers a free retake option so students can refresh their skills and maximize their retention within a year of their class.