Film and Video Editors
Machines can already do 45% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 64%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Film and Video Editors in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 45% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 22% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 64% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 25,610 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $75,420 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 70% for contact with people.
- Also called: Editor, Film Editor, News Editor, News Video Editor.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers | 14% | 83% to 87% | |
| Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment | 11% | 85% to 87% | |
| Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story | 11% | 30% to 54% | |
| Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product | 9% | 32% to 61% | |
| Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product | 6% | 25% to 50% | |
| Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect | 6% | 25% to 50% | |
| Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible | 6% | 25% to 50% | |
| Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary | 6% | 25% to 50% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills film and video editors use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Sound Engineering Technicians58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $73,130
- Fashion Designers58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $80,960
- Media Technical Directors/Managers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $90,360
- Event Hosts and Emcees56% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Film and Video Editors?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of film and video editors?
Machines can do 45% of the tasks of film and video editors today and 64% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 27-4032.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Film and Video Editors: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/film-and-video-editors/