Post job

Senior video editor vs freelance video editor

The differences between senior video editors and freelance video editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a senior video editor and a freelance video editor. Additionally, a senior video editor has an average salary of $112,084, which is higher than the $54,795 average annual salary of a freelance video editor.

The top three skills for a senior video editor include motion graphics, video content and adobe premiere. The most important skills for a freelance video editor are training videos, video content, and motion graphics.

Senior video editor vs freelance video editor overview

Senior Video EditorFreelance Video Editor
Yearly salary$112,084$54,795
Hourly rate$53.89$26.34
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs5,3995,910
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age3737
Years of experience66

What does a senior video editor do?

A senior video editor manipulates and enhances video clips to achieve a predetermined message, concept, or idea. The role of the video editor is vital for creating video material for advertising and marketing. The video editor is also needed for media broadcasts and in the post-production phase of a filmmaking project. The senior video editor coordinates all people in the editing team and leads them to accomplish goals and meet the project's desired timeline and deadline.

What does a freelance video editor do?

A freelance video editor offers video editing services to individuals and businesses. Most freelance video editors manage their own time and work at their preferred places, some even working from home. Among their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, negotiating contracts, gathering and editing clips, and completing projects within deadlines. There are also instances when they must shoot videos in adherence to the contract's terms. Moreover, a freelance video editor must establish positive relationships with clients to develop a strong client base.

Senior video editor vs freelance video editor salary

Senior video editors and freelance video editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Video EditorFreelance Video Editor
Average salary$112,084$54,795
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $171,000Between $32,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyAmazon-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between senior video editor and freelance video editor education

There are a few differences between a senior video editor and a freelance video editor in terms of educational background:

Senior Video EditorFreelance Video Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Senior video editor vs freelance video editor demographics

Here are the differences between senior video editors' and freelance video editors' demographics:

Senior Video EditorFreelance Video Editor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 81.2% Female, 18.8%Male, 76.3% Female, 23.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between senior video editor and freelance video editor duties and responsibilities

Senior video editor example 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.
  • Edit, encode and enhance content for DVD and web delivery.
  • Hold responsibility in transcoding, encoding audio and video files, and uploading media to YouTube.
  • Show more

Freelance video editor example 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.
  • Edit promotional content for YouTube, the company's main publishing site
  • Incorporate mix formats into a single project format including HD footage.
  • Show more

Senior video editor vs freelance video editor skills

Common senior video editor skills
  • Motion Graphics, 14%
  • Video Content, 12%
  • Adobe Premiere, 11%
  • Color Correction, 7%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Animation, 6%
Common freelance video editor skills
  • Training Videos, 23%
  • Video Content, 7%
  • Motion Graphics, 6%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 5%
  • Edit Video, 5%
  • Freelance Video, 5%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs