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Film editor vs cinematographer

The differences between film editors and cinematographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cinematographer has an average salary of $72,245, 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 a cinematographer are video production, cinema, and music videos.

Film editor vs cinematographer overview

Film EditorCinematographer
Yearly salary$51,688$72,245
Hourly rate$24.85$34.73
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs4,4865,748
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3737
Years of experience6-

Film editor vs cinematographer salary

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

Film EditorCinematographer
Average salary$51,688$72,245
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $93,000Between $43,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyThe American Musical and Dramatic Academy-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between film editor and cinematographer education

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

Film EditorCinematographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNew York UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Film editor vs cinematographer demographics

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

Film EditorCinematographer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 73.5% Female, 26.5%Male, 85.3% Female, 14.7%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between film editor and cinematographer 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

Cinematographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage equipment setup and on-site DVD sales.
  • Manage all principal photography and editing.
  • Used DSLR, macro, and underwater camera equipment to film wildlife in wood settings.
  • Create promotional videos for viewing on the Lily.B website, Facebook, YouTube, and other social networking sites.
  • Work together with DP Brian Hwang
  • Produce documentaries, reality shows and live events.
  • Show more

Film editor vs cinematographer skills

Common film editor skills
  • Music Videos, 23%
  • Film Production, 10%
  • Adobe Premiere, 7%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%
  • Photography, 4%
  • Feature Film, 4%
Common cinematographer skills
  • Video Production, 15%
  • Cinema, 11%
  • Music Videos, 11%
  • DSLR, 10%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
  • Photography, 6%

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