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The differences between video journalists and freelance video editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a video journalist, becoming a freelance video editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a video journalist has an average salary of $68,280, which is higher than the $54,795 average annual salary of a freelance video editor.
The top three skills for a video journalist include story development, adobe premiere and video content. The most important skills for a freelance video editor are training videos, video content, and motion graphics.
| Video Journalist | Freelance Video Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $68,280 | $54,795 |
| Hourly rate | $32.83 | $26.34 |
| Growth rate | -10% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 7,141 | 5,910 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 40 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Video journalists make videos conveying the news and factual stories for the audiences. Their day-to-day duties may vary but typically include editing, researching, and reporting, developing and planning live or taped video segments, and compiling data from various sources. In addition, a video journalist is responsible for verifying facts, interviewing subjects, and cultivating relationships and sources. Other duties that a video journalist might perform include on-the-spot reporting, anchoring a newscast, and producing content, and taking photos.
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.
Video journalists and freelance video editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Journalist | Freelance Video Editor | |
| Average salary | $68,280 | $54,795 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $112,000 | Between $32,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | - |
| Highest paying state | New York | - |
| Best paying company | The New York Times Company | - |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a video journalist and a freelance video editor in terms of educational background:
| Video Journalist | Freelance Video Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | Harvard University | New York University |
Here are the differences between video journalists' and freelance video editors' demographics:
| Video Journalist | Freelance Video Editor | |
| Average age | 40 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.5% Female, 35.5% | Male, 76.3% Female, 23.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 Percentage | 10% | 10% |