Film and Video Editors Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Film and Video Editors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA make a median of $80,800 a year, or about $38.85 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $215K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $74,265 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 61.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About film and video editors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level film and video editors (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $215K or more - a $173K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do film and video editors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $80,800 a year - that works out to about $38.85 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,790, and experienced film and video editors can clear $214,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,131/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 60.9% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (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 $74,265 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.