Career comparison
Photographer vs. Video Editor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Video editors earn more at the median ($75,420 vs. $44,660), while photographers usually get to work faster (6 months–2 years of training). Photographers capture images for clients, events, products and stories. Video editors cut raw footage into compelling films, shows, ads and online videos.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Photographer | Video Editor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $44,660 ($21.47/hr) | $75,420 ($36.26/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $30,820 – $91,810 | $40,280 – $148,550 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.7% (little or no change) | +3.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 10,700 | 3,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 6 months–2 years | 4 years or portfolio-based training |
| Key credential | Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) | Avid Certified User |
| Work setting | Photographers work in studios, on location, at events and at home editing. | Editors work in edit suites, studios and from home, at computers for long periods.. |
What each job does
Photographer
- Plan shoots with clients
- Set up lighting and equipment
- Direct subjects and compose shots
- Capture images
- Edit and retouch photos
Video Editor
- Organize and log footage
- Select shots and assemble cuts
- Edit for story, pacing and rhythm
- Add music, sound effects and graphics
- Color correct and finish
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work and working independently. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose photographer if…
- I love capturing images
- I have an eye for composition
- I enjoy working with people
Choose video editor if…
- I love film and video
- I’m patient with detail
- I enjoy storytelling
Still torn? Take the Photographer fit quiz and the Video Editor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, photographer or video editor?
Video Editors earn more at the median: $75,420 versus $44,660 for photographers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Photographers typically train faster (6 months–2 years) than video editors (4 years or portfolio-based training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects video editors to grow +3.7% from 2025–35, compared with -0.7% for photographers.