Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between video production specialists 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 production specialist, becoming a freelance video editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a freelance video editor has an average salary of $54,795, which is higher than the $36,176 average annual salary of a video production specialist.
The top three skills for a video production specialist include video content, adobe photoshop and motion graphics. The most important skills for a freelance video editor are training videos, video content, and motion graphics.
| Video Production Specialist | Freelance Video Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $36,176 | $54,795 |
| Hourly rate | $17.39 | $26.34 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 54,019 | 5,910 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A video production specialist is in charge of recording videos and editing them into high-quality visual material in adherence to the project or clients' needs. A video production specialist may work at broadcasting companies, entertainment agencies, private institutions, and even businesses. They typically meet with clients before filming to identify their needs and preferences, travel to different locations, set-up equipment and arrange sets, and provide directions to clients or actors. Moreover, a video production specialist must build positive relationships with clients to strengthen their client base.
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 production specialists and freelance video editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Production Specialist | Freelance Video Editor | |
| Average salary | $36,176 | $54,795 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $56,000 | Between $32,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Citi | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a video production specialist and a freelance video editor in terms of educational background:
| Video Production Specialist | Freelance Video Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Photography | Photography |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | New York University |
Here are the differences between video production specialists' and freelance video editors' demographics:
| Video Production Specialist | Freelance Video Editor | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% | Male, 76.3% Female, 23.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 5.9% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 8% | 10% |