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Documentary Editing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Typically 7 - 10+ years of professional editing experience across documentary, commercial, branded, or narrative projects * A strong portfolio demonstrating high-level storytelling, pacing, emotional ...

Approximately 3 - 5+ years of professional editing experience across documentary, commercial, branded, narrative, or related content environments * A portfolio or reel demonstrating strong ...

Experience editing content across social media, branded content, documentaries, interviews, and long-form storytelling * Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro * Strong working knowledge of ...

New

Experience editing content across social media, branded content, documentaries, interviews, and long-form storytelling * Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro * Strong working knowledge of ...

Experience editing content across social media, branded content, documentaries, interviews, and long-form storytelling * Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro * Strong working knowledge of ...

New

Video Editor

OR ยท Remote

$90K - $120K/yr

Support long-form, documentary-style storytelling projects as needed. * Collaborate with creative ... Experience editing short-form social media content for platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram ...

Video Editor

$90K - $120K/yr

Support long-form, documentary-style storytelling projects as needed. * Collaborate with creative ... Experience editing short-form social media content for platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram ...

Video Editor

Boston, MA ยท Remote

$90K - $120K/yr

Support long-form, documentary-style storytelling projects as needed. * Collaborate with creative ... Experience editing short-form social media content for platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram ...

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Documentary Editing information

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How much do documentary editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for documentary editing in the United States is $31.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $39.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Documentary Editing vs Video Editing?

AspectDocumentary EditingVideo Editing
CredentialsOften requires editing experience, film or media backgroundRequires editing skills, often with specific software knowledge
Work EnvironmentFilm or documentary production settingsVaries from corporate videos to social media content
Industry UsagePrimarily in film, television, and documentary projectsAcross multiple industries including marketing, entertainment, and corporate

Documentary editing focuses on shaping real-life footage into compelling stories, often requiring a deep understanding of storytelling and factual accuracy. Video editing is broader, encompassing various types of video content, from commercials to social media clips. While both roles require editing skills, documentary editing emphasizes narrative construction within factual contexts, making it more specialized.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Documentary Editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Documentary Editor, you need a strong grasp of storytelling, video editing principles, and experience with non-linear editing software, often supported by a degree in film, media, or related fields. Proficiency with tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, or Final Cut Pro, as well as knowledge of formats and post-production workflows, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, time management, and collaboration are crucial soft skills that help editors craft compelling narratives and work well with directors and producers. These skills and qualities are vital for producing engaging, coherent documentaries that effectively communicate their message and meet production deadlines.

What are typical challenges faced by documentary editors when shaping a story from raw footage?

Documentary editors often encounter the challenge of organizing large amounts of unscripted footage into a compelling, coherent narrative. They must balance the director's vision with the available material, sometimes working with incomplete or evolving storylines. Tight deadlines, last-minute changes, and collaborating closely with directors, producers, and sound designers are also common aspects of the role. Strong communication and creative problem-solving skills are essential for overcoming these challenges and producing a polished final product.

What is documentary editing?

Documentary editing is the process of assembling, organizing, and refining recorded footage, interviews, audio, and other elements to create a cohesive and compelling nonfiction film or video. Editors work closely with directors and producers to shape the narrative, determine pacing, and ensure that the story is both engaging and accurate. This role often involves making creative decisions about what content to include or omit, as well as incorporating graphics, sound, and music to enhance the final product.
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What cities are hiring for Documentary Editing jobs? Cities with the most Documentary Editing job openings:
What states have the most Documentary Editing jobs? States with the most job openings for Documentary Editing jobs include:
Volume Co-Editor, Papers of James Monroe

Volume Co-Editor, Papers of James Monroe

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Volume Co-Editor, Papers of James Monroe

Apply now Job no: 25001600
Work type: Full Time
Location: Fredericksburg
Categories: Staff

Title: Volume Co-Editor, Papers of James Monroe

VP Area: Provost - UMW

Department: The Monroe Papers

Campus Location: James Monroe Museum

Advertised Range:ย $65,292

ย 
Organizational Objective
ย 
The University of Mary Washington has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Volume Co-Editor for Papers of James Monroe. The Papers of James Monroe is a historical documentary editing project dedicated to collecting and publishing the correspondence and other public and private papers of the fifth president of the United States.

Job Summary/Basic Functions

A volume co-editor of the Papers of James Monroe participates in all aspects of the editorial process under the direction of a volume editor.

This is a restricted position, grant funded through July 24, 2030.ย This positing will fill multiple openings.

For more information
ย 
Contact Bob Karachuk, editor and project director, Papers of James Monroe, at rkarachu@umw.edu
ย 

Required KSAs/Competencies/Qualifications

  • Expertise in the history of the early United States.
  • Excellent research and writing skills.
  • Fluency in reading cursive.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Openness to direction.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.
  • Curiosity and capacity to learn and grow.
  • Commitment to highest standard of scholarly work.

Required Experience:

  • Professional experience in the editing and publication of historical documents.

Additional Considerations:

KSAs

  • Sense of urgency for project objectives and responsibility for assigned sphere.
  • Expertise in political, diplomatic, and social history in the time of James Monroe.


EDUCATION

  • M.A. in history, American studies, or political science, or comparable degree, or equivalent training and experience.
  • Ph.D. in history, American studies, or political science, or comparable degree, or equivalent training and experience.


LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

  • Institute for the Editing of Historical Documents certification, or comparable training.

Special Instructions

This position is open until filled. Priority first review of applications will be conducted on applications submitted by April 6, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position. To be considered for this position a state application must be received through the online employment system atย https://jobs.umw.edu/. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications or resumes will not be accepted.

Excluding currentUMW employees, selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.ย 

Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions. For more information, please visit http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/.

The University of Mary Washington adheres to the principle of equal opportunity. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, parental status (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors in recruiting, admitting, enrolling students or hiring and promoting faculty and staff members. Complaints of discrimination should be directed to the EEO officer of the University.

UMW Values Veterans: UMW is a proud member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program, authorized under the Code of Virginia (2.2-2001.2). We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible for additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard or Reserve. For more information please visit: https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits.

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process (AHP). To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly Certificate of Disability or COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found atย AHP Letterย or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note:ย Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 24 Mar 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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