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Careers›Roles›Tape Editor
Mid-Level

Tape Editor

Cutting and assembling recorded footage into a finished program, you shape raw material into something that flows, frame by frame. Turning raw footage into a finished piece.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
A
C
R
E
I
S
Artisticcreative, expressive
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Tape Editors
Real EstateTechnology & Information · 66%Professional Services · 18%Entertainment & Media · 4%Administrative Services · 3%Education · 3%
Job markets for Tape Editors
Employment concentration · ~82 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Arts & Media
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Tape Editor

The work runs through reviewing recorded material, selecting and sequencing shots, syncing audio, and assembling a polished final cut to spec. Most of the craft is invisible when it's done right, and the pacing and timing carry the whole piece, so small choices add up to the feel.

What's harder than people expect is the patience and the deadlines: long hours at an editing station, exacting detail, and crunch near delivery. Much of the work is freelance, revisions and client notes pile up, and the tools keep changing under you. Settings span broadcast, post houses, and production companies.

It tends to fit someone detail-focused, patient, and quietly creative. If you want recognition or steady hours, the freelance, behind-the-scenes nature can wear. But if you love shaping raw footage into something that lands, and the rhythm of a clean cut, the work tends to be genuinely satisfying, cut after cut.

What people in this role value
IndependenceAbove avg
AchievementAbove avg
RecognitionAbove avg
Working ConditionsModerate
RelationshipsLower
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$121K+90%
Energy & Utilities$114K+80%
Professional Services$113K+77%
Financial Services$98K+54%
Wholesale & Distribution$89K+40%
Compared to Arts & Media average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Tape Editors (SOC 27-4032.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Arts & Media →
Tape EditorAdvertising EditorVideo Content CreatorNews EditorCue SelectorOnline EditorNon-Linear EditorDigital Video EditorContract Video EditorNews Videotape EditorDigital Media CoordinatorOptical Effects Layout Person
Exploring the Tape Editor career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$39K–$146K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
29K
U.S. Employment
+4%
10yr Growth
4K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$68K$65K$62K$59K$57K201920202021202220232024$57K$68K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive LearningSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementMonitoring
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
27-4032.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midAdvertising Editor$75KmidVideo Content Creator$85KmidNews Editor$73KmidCue Selector$71KmidOnline Editor$71KmidNon-Linear Editor$71K
View all Arts & Media roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.