Video Editor

O*NET: Film and Video Editors·27-4032.00

The Verdict:Video editing relies on screen-based assembly of footage, effects, and sound into engaging stories. AI tools now handle cuts, trims, syncing, and effects generation autonomously, leaving humans for creative pacing and director collaboration. These edges are narrowing as AI improves narrative tools. The role will shrink but evolve into oversight over the next decade.

Resilience Score

/100

Moderate Risk

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$71k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+4%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 8 of 23 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

35%

Moderate exposure

Task Analysis

This role has a mixed AI profile.
8 tasks are automatable, 43% reward AI fluency, and 5 remain human-essential.

Read the action plan for high-risk roles

8exposed

10AI leverage

5human-essential

View all 23 tasks

AI Can Handle This8 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.

Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.

Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.

Program computerized graphic effects.

Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.

Record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.

Piece sounds together to develop film soundtracks.

Write scripts.

AI Leverage10 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.

Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.

Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.

Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.

Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.

Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.

Manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to make the parts into a continuous whole, working closely with people in audio, visual, music, optical, or special effects departments.

Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.

Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.

Develop post-production models for films.

Human Advantage5 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.

Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs.

Discuss the sound requirements of pictures with sound effects editors.

Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.

Collaborate with music editors to select appropriate passages of music and develop production scores.

Resilience Landscape

Video Editor lands in Well-Paid, High Risk

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