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Film editor vs assistant editor

The differences between film editors and assistant editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a film editor, becoming an assistant editor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an assistant editor has an average salary of $52,284, which is higher than the $51,688 average annual salary of a film editor.

The top three skills for a film editor include music videos, film production and adobe premiere. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Film editor vs assistant editor overview

Film EditorAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$51,688$52,284
Hourly rate$24.85$25.14
Growth rate12%-5%
Number of jobs4,4868,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age3744
Years of experience64

Film editor vs assistant editor salary

Film editors and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Film EditorAssistant Editor
Average salary$51,688$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $93,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyThe American Musical and Dramatic AcademyApple
Best paying industryEducationMedia

Differences between film editor and assistant editor education

There are a few differences between a film editor and an assistant editor in terms of educational background:

Film EditorAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorPhotographyEnglish
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNorthwestern University

Film editor vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between film editors' and assistant editors' demographics:

Film EditorAssistant Editor
Average age3744
Gender ratioMale, 73.5% Female, 26.5%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%12%

Differences between film editor and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Film editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage multiple YouTube accounts, and prepare media for online release.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Produce numerous YouTube videos and trailers.
  • Work with foreign language to be translate to English subtitles in documentaries.
  • Head of the DVD department from production, distribution, and monthly invoice collection.
  • Support marketing with event planning and execution, and filming and photography of student life.
  • Show more

Assistant editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead bureau newsgathering in high-pressure, breaking news situations.
  • Manage the budget for all of VOA s primary newsgathering.
  • Produce e-newsletters, manage website content, write headlines and captions, utilize SEO and analyze digital traffic.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Ensure compliance with PRC and FDA guidelines.
  • Increase social media presence and traffic through Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Film editor vs assistant editor skills

Common film editor skills
  • Music Videos, 23%
  • Film Production, 10%
  • Adobe Premiere, 7%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%
  • Photography, 4%
  • Feature Film, 4%
Common assistant editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 9%
  • Video Footage, 8%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • Production Process, 4%
  • Twitter, 3%

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