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The differences between video specialists and freelance videographer/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 specialist, becoming a freelance videographer/editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a video specialist has an average salary of $53,491, which is higher than the $48,481 average annual salary of a freelance videographer/editor.
The top three skills for a video specialist include video production, video content and video equipment. The most important skills for a freelance videographer/editor are training videos, video content, and video production.
| Video Specialist | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $53,491 | $48,481 |
| Hourly rate | $25.72 | $23.31 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 26,146 | 5,409 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A video specialist is largely tasked with the responsibility of editing raw video materials into refined products that are broadcast-worthy. These raw materials may consist of already available camera footage, sound effects, dialogue between characters, and special graphics, or video effects. They are also responsible for recording and capturing video, editing footage, and producing studio-quality pictures and videos for diverse purposes.
A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.
Video specialists and freelance videographer/editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Specialist | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Average salary | $53,491 | $48,481 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $76,000 | Between $34,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | - |
| Best paying company | - | |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | - |
There are a few differences between a video specialist and a freelance videographer/editor in terms of educational background:
| Video Specialist | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | New York University |
Here are the differences between video specialists' and freelance videographer/editors' demographics:
| Video Specialist | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5% | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |