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

What is a senior video editor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Thomas Reynolds

Senior video editors are seasoned professionals in video production. They work on assembling audiovisual footage into engaging and entertaining material. They delegate tasks among junior-level editors to divide segments and phases of larger projects.

You will work under the supervision and guidance of a creative director, overseeing post-production efforts. You will be responsible for completing projects to the satisfaction of clients. You might also be expected to train junior-level editors and teach them the nuances of your craft, ensuring their growth into empowered professionals.

You will probably spend your days at a post-production studio working flexible hours and putting in as much time as you have when deliverables are approaching their deadline. You will need experience and expertise in your craft and in-depth familiarity with various video editing software's technical and creative aspects.

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

Thomas Reynolds

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Minnesota

I think there will be a lasting impact of this pandemic on graduates. The nature of the field is that others in the industry (scientists, engineers, for ex.) often take on tech writing and communication tasks in tight economic conditions, or even just as a matter of a particular culture in a particular business. However, the field of technical communication has been predicted to have a strong future (see Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts growth in jobs in this field).

Technical writing and communication require that students are comfortable with technology and communication and that they adapt to changing situations. I think there are also opportunities for savvy graduates who can offer certain skills and experiences that are unique to the changing situation. This field has a long history of resilience for its graduates seeking jobs in tough circumstances.

ScoreSenior Video EditorUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $112,084

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 7.07%

Black or African American 6.60%

Hispanic or Latino 17.87%

Unknown 5.23%

White 62.98%

Gender

female 18.79%

male 81.21%

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 senior video editor

Explore senior video editor education requirements

Most common senior video editor degrees

Bachelor's

76.3 %

Associate

12.1 %

Master's

7.1 %

Start to develop specific senior video editor skills

Skills	Percentages
Motion Graphics	14.13%
Video Content	12.08%
Adobe Premiere	10.62%
Color Correction	7.08%
Adobe Creative Suite	6.24%

Complete relevant senior video editor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior 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 senior video editor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior video editor resumes.

Research senior video editor duties and responsibilities

Manage and resolve editorial disagreements across relevant departmental staff to join up an organizational narrative on each output.
Produce segments & graphics for both television and Youtube platform.
Maintain video archive system and retrieve important clips when necessary.
Serve as DV, HD, and DSLR video camera operator.

Get senior video editor experience

Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a senior video editor. The most common roles before becoming a senior video editor include video editor, editor team lead and production assistant.

Prepare your senior video editor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior 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 senior 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 senior video editor resume templates

Build a professional senior 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 senior video editor resume.