How To Become A Freelance Video Editor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a freelance video editor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Allison Harl Ph.D.

A Freelance Video Editor is an expert in creating and manipulating film media content. They are self-employed and have the chance to choose the project they'll work with. Today's world has a rising need for digital content, so as a Freelance Video Editor, you will be in demand. There will always be work for you, especially if you have a great portfolio and talent.

With a job growth rate of 11%, you can also earn an annual average salary of $53,958. You can also explore similar jobs and take on other roles. For example, you can be a Video Editor, a Producer, and a Senior Producer.

There are several Freelance Video Editors today applying for jobs, too, so you should know about their knowledge and skills to use it to your advantage. To help you, you should know that most Freelance Video Editor applicants today include Training Videos, Photography, Adobe Creative Suite, Graphic Design, and Video Production in their resumes.

What general advice would you give to a freelance video editor?

Allison Harl Ph.D.

Associate Professor of English English Program Coordinator, Ferrum College

Develop as many multimedia skills as possible. Writing in the 21st century is about visual rhetoric as well as just words on a page.

ScoreFreelance Video EditorUS Average

Salary

4.3

Avg. Salary $54,795

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.5

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.25%

Asian 7.02%

Black or African American 6.54%

Hispanic or Latino 17.69%

Unknown 5.23%

White 63.27%

Gender

female 23.73%

male 76.27%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress level

5.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a freelance video editor

Explore freelance video editor education requirements

Most common freelance video editor degrees

Bachelor's

76.1 %

Associate

13.6 %

Master's

5.4 %

Start to develop specific freelance video editor skills

Skills	Percentages
Training Videos	22.54%
Video Content	7.45%
Motion Graphics	6.33%
Adobe Premiere Pro	5.49%
Edit Video	5.25%

Complete relevant freelance video editor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New freelance video editors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a freelance video editor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real freelance video editor resumes.

Research freelance video editor duties and responsibilities

Manage media assets including creating graphics, digitizing, archiving, editorial 'string-outs' and tracking media assets.
Operate cameras on set - Sony FS7, DSLR, assist DP with striking of set.
Collaborate with producers to match b-roll to script for voice-overs.
Direct and/or DP d lighting for many corporate communication projects.

Prepare your freelance video editor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your freelance video editor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a freelance video editor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable freelance video editor resume templates

Build a professional freelance video editor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your freelance video editor resume.