How to become a video editor
Becoming a video editor in the UK doesn't require a degree, and the route in is more flexible than most people assume. Entry-level pay sits around £24,000 - £28,000, mid-career roles earn £30,000 - £50,000, senior or specialist video editors earn £55,000 - £80,000. This guide covers the realistic route in, what you can earn employed and self-employed, and whether the work fits how you like to spend your day.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £28,000
- Mid-career salary
- £30,000 - £50,000
- Senior salary
- £55,000 - £80,000
- Work environment
- Studio, agency, freelance, or remote
- Time to entry
- 0 - 2 years
- Degree required
- Not required
- Category
- Design and Creative
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, No-degree careers, Creative careers, Career change.
What a Video Editor does
Cut and craft footage into films, ads, social videos, and YouTube content.
- Social Media Video Editor - Cut short-form vertical videos for TikTok, Reels, Shorts.
- Documentary Editor - Shape long-form interview and observational footage.
- Commercial Editor - Edit ads and branded content for agencies and brands.
How to become a video editor in the UK
You don't need a degree to become a video editor in the UK. The most reliable route is a mix of short formal training (college course, apprenticeship, or industry-recognised certification) and hands-on experience as quickly as possible - typically through an entry-level role, apprenticeship, or paid work-shadowing. Most people get their first proper role within 0 - 2 years once they commit to the path.
- Learn one professional editor properly, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, which has a free version, or Avid Media Composer, still widely used in TV and film.
- Cut a showreel of one to two minutes from your best work, putting your strongest edits first, and host it on Vimeo or YouTube with a simple portfolio page.
- Edit real projects for local businesses, charities, student films or creators, so your reel shows you can work to a brief, a deadline and client feedback.
- Learn the basics of colour correction, audio clean-up and titles, since junior editors on smaller jobs usually handle all three themselves.
- If you want TV and film work, apply for runner or assistant editor roles at post-production companies, which is where most broadcast editors start.
- For social and brand work, study vertical formats, captions and opening hooks, and pitch agencies and creators with examples in their style.
- Use ScreenSkills for training, guidance and new entrant opportunities in TV and film post-production.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-taught with a showreel | 6-18 months | Free to a few hundred pounds for software | Social, YouTube and freelance work |
| Runner, then assistant editor in post-production | 1-3 years | Free, paid entry-level work | TV and film editing |
| Creative media apprenticeship or college course | 1-2 years | Free for apprentices; college often free for under-19s | School leavers |
| Film or media production degree | 3 years | Tuition fee loan | Building contacts and a broad base |
How long it takes
With a solid showreel you can land paid freelance or junior work within months, and most people secure their first proper editing role within two years. Broadcast TV and film usually take longer, because you start as a runner or assistant editor and work up.
Video Editor salary in the UK
Entry-level video editor roles in the UK pay £24,000 - £28,000. Mid-career video editors earn £30,000 - £50,000. Senior or specialist video editors earn £55,000 - £80,000. Pay varies by region (London and the South East typically sit at the top of the range), employer, and specialism. Self-employed video editors set their own rates and can earn meaningfully more per hour than employed equivalents once they have a steady client base, though year one income is typically lower while you build up.
Is video editor a good career?
Video Editor can be a strong career choice in the UK if it matches how you actually like to work. On stability: project-based, growing in social/video. Competition for roles is generally high. Day-to-day environment: studio, agency, freelance, or remote. The honest answer depends on your personality and priorities - the trade-offs (hours, responsibility, pace) matter as much as the salary.
Key skills
- Premiere Pro / DaVinci
- Pacing
- Sound design basics
- Storytelling
Video Editor FAQs
How do I become a video editor in the UK?
You don't need a degree to become a video editor in the UK. The most reliable route is a mix of short formal training (college course, apprenticeship, or industry-recognised certification) and hands-on experience as quickly as possible - typically through an entry-level role, apprenticeship, or paid work-shadowing. Most people get their first proper role within 0 - 2 years once they commit to the path.
How much do video editors earn in the UK?
Entry-level video editor roles in the UK pay £24,000 - £28,000. Mid-career video editors earn £30,000 - £50,000. Senior or specialist video editors earn £55,000 - £80,000. Pay varies by region (London and the South East typically sit at the top of the range), employer, and specialism. Self-employed video editors set their own rates and can earn meaningfully more per hour than employed equivalents once they have a steady client base, though year one income is typically lower while you build up.
Do you need a degree to be a video editor?
No - you don't need a degree to become a video editor in the UK. The official line: not required. Employers and clients care more about demonstrable skill, hands-on experience, and the right attitude than formal qualifications.
Is video editor a good career in the UK?
Video Editor can be a strong career choice in the UK if it matches how you actually like to work. On stability: project-based, growing in social/video. Competition for roles is generally high. Day-to-day environment: studio, agency, freelance, or remote. The honest answer depends on your personality and priorities - the trade-offs (hours, responsibility, pace) matter as much as the salary.
Is Video Editor right for you?
Career Compass ranks careers from your interests and priorities and explains every suggestion, with UK routes and trade-offs. See how well Video Editor actually fits you. £19.99 once, full report included.
Not sure video editor is the right career for you? A good career test narrows the field before you spend money retraining.