Film and Video Editors Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Film and Video Editors in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $79,900 a year, or about $38.42 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $181K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $72,360 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 66.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $80K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About film and video editors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level film and video editors (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K.Top earners bring in $181K or more - a $144K spread from bottom to top.
Film and Video Editors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $102K | +44% | 4,060 |
| District of Columbia | $100K | +41% | 400 |
| Virginia | $88K | +24% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $85K | +20% | 450 |
| California | $83K | +17% | 9,110 |
| New Jersey | $83K | +17% | 740 |
| Maryland | $81K | +14% | 320 |
| Alabama | $70K | -1% | 150 |
| Washington | $66K | -7% | 620 |
| New Hampshire | $65K | -8% | 110 |
| Utah | $63K | -11% | 530 |
| Oregon | $62K | -13% | 490 |
| Vermont | $61K | -15% | 180 |
| Connecticut | $60K | -15% | 510 |
| Nevada | $60K | -15% | 390 |
Track film and video editors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do film and video editors make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $79,900 a year - that works out to about $38.42 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,560, and experienced film and video editors can clear $180,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,086/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 68.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a film and video editors salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median film and video editors salary is worth about $72,360 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do film and video editors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.