Video Editor Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A video editor turns raw footage into a finished video: trimming, sequencing, adding music, graphics and sound, and pacing it so people watch to the end. The job sits at the intersection of technical skill (software, codecs, export settings) and storytelling (what to cut, what to keep, where the hook goes).
Video editors work on marketing content, social media, YouTube channels, corporate training and film or broadcast, so the pace and style vary a lot: a fast-turnaround social clip is a different job from a polished brand film. Editors usually work from a brief or a director's notes, not a blank page.
Video Editor job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Video Editor
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring a video editor to produce [social, marketing, YouTube] videos for [team]. You'll cut raw footage into polished videos using [Premiere Pro / Final Cut / DaVinci Resolve], working from briefs and footage to a finished, on-brand result.
What you'll do
- Edit raw footage into finished videos for [social media, YouTube, ads, internal training].
- Add music, sound effects, graphics, titles and color correction to match brand style.
- Work from scripts, briefs or shot lists to find the strongest cut of a piece.
- Resize and reformat videos for different platforms (vertical, square, widescreen).
- Organize and manage footage, project files and assets for easy reuse.
- Incorporate feedback from [the marketing team, director, client] through multiple revision rounds.
- Keep up with platform trends and formats that affect how videos should be cut.
What you'll bring
- [X]+ years editing video professionally, with a portfolio or reel to show.
- Strong skills in [Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve].
- Understanding of pacing, story structure and what keeps viewers watching.
- Basic color correction, audio mixing and motion graphics skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once.
- Comfort taking and applying feedback without losing the video's clarity.
Nice to have
- Motion graphics skills in After Effects.
- Experience filming or directing, not just editing.
- Knowledge of [social media, e-commerce or corporate] video trends.
- Experience with color grading tools beyond basic correction.
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Equipment and software budget, flexible hours, portfolio-building projects]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: a portfolio or reel review, a recruiter call, a short paid edit test using sample footage, and a meeting with the creative team.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Video Editor duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Edits straightforward videos from clear briefs, with review before publishing.
- Handles resizing, captioning and basic graphics for existing templates.
- Learns the brand style guide and team's editing workflow.
Mid-level
- Edits a full range of video content independently, from social clips to longer pieces.
- Makes creative decisions on pacing, music and structure within brand guidelines.
- Gives input on shot lists and scripts to make editing easier later.
Senior
- Leads editing on flagship or high-visibility projects.
- Sets editing style and templates other editors follow.
- Mentors junior editors and reviews their cuts before they go out.
Video Editor career path
- Junior Video Editor
- Video Editor
- Senior Video Editor
- Lead Editor or Creative Director
Video editors often start with freelance or self-taught work, film school, or assistant roles at production companies, building a reel before landing a full-time position. Later moves include creative direction, motion graphics specialization or producing.
Similar roles
- Graphic Designer job description
Works in static design rather than motion and sequencing.
- Social Media Manager job description
Plans and posts content that the editor cuts together.
- Art Director job description
Sets the visual direction editors and designers execute.
- Content Writer job description
Writes the scripts editors turn into finished video.
Video Editor job description FAQ
What does a video editor do?
Takes raw footage and cuts it into a finished video, adding music, graphics, color correction and sound, and making pacing decisions that keep the final piece clear and engaging.
What skills should a video editor job description require?
Strong skills in an editing tool such as Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve, an eye for pacing and story structure, and basic color and audio skills. After Effects and filming experience are useful extras.
Do video editors need a portfolio?
Yes, nearly all video editor roles expect a reel or portfolio of finished work, since it shows editing style and skill far better than a resume alone.