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Documentary Video Editor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Peregrine Technologies

Video Editor

San Francisco, CA

The Role Peregrine is looking for an exceptional Video Editor to join our growing creative team and ... Edit documentary-style customer stories, brand films, employee profiles, product launches, event ...

Peregrine Technologies

Video Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Role Peregrine is looking for an exceptional Video Editor to join our growing creative team and ... Edit documentary-style customer stories, brand films, employee profiles, product launches, event ...

Centr

Senior Video Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

... documentary for YouTube, you know how to shape footage into something that moves people. This role ... Experience * 5+ years of professional video editing experience, with a strong portfolio ...

Kinder's

Video Editor

Walnut Creek, CA

The Video Editor at Kinder's will play a pivotal role in our efforts to scale our content ... medium of video across genres (long-form, documentary, instructional, social media, etc.

Kinder's

Video Editor

Walnut Creek, CA

The Video Editor at Kinder's will play a pivotal role in our efforts to scale our content ... medium of video across genres (long-form, documentary, instructional, social media, etc.

Kinder's

Video Editor

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

The Video Editor at Kinder's will play a pivotal role in our efforts to scale our content ... medium of video across genres (long-form, documentary, instructional, social media, etc.

Acushnetgolf

Video Editor | Titleist

Oceanside, CA

$69K - $86K/yr

What You Will Be Doing As a Video Editor, you will play a key role in bringing the Titleist brand ... documentary, or digital content, including work across YouTube, social media, digital marketing ...

Owner

Senior Video Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Senior Video Editor is one of our early hires that will help own this function as we build a ... documentary. You'll get real creative ownership here, not template-based assembly work. The ...

Relativity Space

Senior Video Editor

Los Angeles, CA

$74K - $112K/yr

You'll be editing the videos that tell the story of Terran R and shape external and internal ... This role is geared towards someone who has experience across commercial, branded, documentary ...

Relativity Space

Senior Video Editor

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$74K - $112K/yr

You'll be editing the videos that tell the story of Terran R and shape external and internal ... This role is geared towards someone who has experience across commercial, branded, documentary ...

Nen Creative

Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$65K - $100K/yr

Edit a wide variety of video content, primarily launch films/commercials, as well as product videos ... or documentary work * Strong reel that demonstrates story sensibility, pacing, and range across ...

Samsara

Lead Video Producer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

We're looking for a cinematographer/DP + video editor who owns a story from pre- to post-production. You'll be behind the camera and in the timeline: documentary customer stories shot on job sites ...

Youth Beat

Junior Producer Apprenticeship

Oakland, CA · On-site

$20/hr

Junior Producer Apprenticeship An entry-level position in video, photography, video editing, and ... documentary filmmaking, photography, design and animation. We teach media to middle school and high ...

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All JobsDocumentary Video Editor JobsDocumentary Video Editor Jobs in California

Documentary Video Editor information

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How much do documentary video editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for documentary video editor in California is $31.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.11 and $39.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a documentary video editor?

A Documentary Video Editor is responsible for assembling and refining video footage to create compelling, cohesive documentary films. They work closely with directors and producers to shape the story, enhance visual storytelling, and ensure a smooth narrative flow. This includes cutting scenes, adjusting pacing, adding graphics, and incorporating music or sound effects. Editors also use software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve to refine color, audio, and visual effects. Their role is crucial in transforming raw footage into a powerful and engaging documentary that effectively conveys the intended message.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a documentary video editor?

To thrive as a Documentary Video Editor, you need strong storytelling abilities, expertise in video editing, and a solid grasp of narrative structure, typically supported by a degree in film, media, or related experience. Proficiency in editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Avid Media Composer, as well as knowledge of sound and color correction tools, is highly valued. Attention to detail, creativity, time management, and the ability to collaborate closely with directors and producers are vital soft skills. These competencies ensure that the final documentary is compelling, cohesive, and meets both artistic and technical standards.

What are the typical challenges faced by documentary video editors?

Documentary video editors often work with large volumes of raw footage and must distill compelling stories from hours of material, which can be both rewarding and challenging. Deadlines can be tight, especially for projects tied to broadcast schedules or film festival submissions, requiring effective time management and adaptability. Editors frequently collaborate with directors, producers, and sometimes archivists, so clear communication and openness to feedback are essential. Navigating rights and clearances for archival content is another common aspect of the role. Overcoming these challenges contributes significantly to delivering impactful and well-crafted documentaries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Documentary Video Editor jobs in California?

The most popular types of Documentary Video Editor jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Documentary Video Editor jobs in California?

For Documentary Video Editor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Documentary Video Editor jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Documentary Video Editor jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Documentary Video Editor jobs?

Cities in California with the most Documentary Video Editor job openings:

Documentary Video Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Documentary Video Editor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,867 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Video Editor

Peregrine Technologies

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

What You'll Help Build
You'll have meaningful creative ownership and play an important role in shaping the future of video at Peregrine. We're building a creative team with high standards and a long-term vision. As we continue to grow, you'll help influence the creative direction of our work, evolve and refine our workflows, and expand how we tell stories across the company. Our goal is to create work that people genuinely choose to watch, that our subjects feel proud to see themselves in, and that reflects the care and humanity behind every story.
 
The Role
Peregrine is looking for an exceptional Video Editor to join our growing creative team and help bring our customers, products, culture and mission to life through thoughtful, human-centered storytelling.
 
Working closely with the Director of Video Production, you will lead projects throughout the post-production process, from finding the story within hours of unscripted footage to delivering polished videos across customer stories, product launches, brand films, events, fireside chats, employee spotlights, and social content.
 
Our work centers on public servants, first responders, and teams doing high-stakes work to keep people safe. You know how to uncover the human story within complex technology, creating films that honestly demonstrate how Peregrine helps the people behind the work make faster, more informed decisions when it matters most.
 
You have the artistic taste, editorial judgment, and technical craft to recognize where the strongest story is hiding, shape it with intention, and hold every project to a consistently high creative standard.
 
What You'll Do
  • Edit documentary-style customer stories, brand films, employee profiles, product launches, event content, social videos, panels, podcasts, and educational product content from raw footage through final delivery.
  • Build clear, emotionally engaging narratives from interviews, verite footage, b-roll, transcripts, product demons, and other unscripted material.
  • Shape pacing, music, sound, and color so every creative choice supports the story.
  • Own the complete post-production process, including ingest, media organization, editing, graphics, sound, color, versioning, archiving, and delivery.
  • Create polished titles, lower thirds, end cards, and light motion graphics.
  • Cut-down hero edits into platform-specific versions across social, paid media, etc
  • Identify valuable moments and ideas beyond the primary deliverable, turning unused material into additional stories and content opportunities.
  • Help evolve Peregrine's visual language, editorial standards, and scalable post-production workflows.
  • Collaborate closely with filmmakers, marketers, cross-functional teams, and company leadership.
  • Manage multiple projects with strong prioritization, communication, and attention to detail while maintaining a high creative bar.
  • Participate in productions when appropriate to capture edit notes, understand the story firsthand, collaborate with the crew, informing the edit.
  • Maintain relationships with trusted freelance editors, motion designers, colorists, sound mixers, composers, and other creative partners, to leverage when necessary.
What We Look For
  • Significant professional editing experience across documentary, branded, commercial, or editorial content, with a proven track record of delivering exceptional work for top-tier clients or in-house.
  • A portfolio demonstrating exceptional storytelling, editorial judgment, artistic taste, personal style, creative range and technical craft.
  • Expert proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve.
  • Mastery in the entire post-pro process from ingest through final delivery
  • Highly developed instincts for narrative structure, interview-driven storytelling, pacing, use of b-roll, music, sound design, color, and rhythm.
  • Expert color grading skills, balancing efficiency with quality to establish a repeatable workflow that maintains a consistent and premium visual aesthetic across every project.
  • Expert sound editing skills, with the ability to craft immersive soundscapes through ambience, foley, transitions, builds and music leveraging multiple premium libraries. Adept with dialogue cleanup, audio restoration, and mixing.
  • Proficiency in Adobe After Effects and experience creating polished titles, lower thirds, end cards, and light motion graphics. (+ for advanced motion design or animation skills)
  • Thorough knowledge of platform-specific requirements, aspect ratios, export settings, and versioning workflows.
  • Excellent project organization and the ability to manage several concurrent projects in a fast-moving environment.
  • The confidence to take creative ownership, paired with the openness to give and receive thoughtful feedback in a collaborative, low-ego environment.
  • A thoughtful approach to AI and emerging creative tools, using them to improve efficiency without compromising quality, authenticity, or human editorial judgment.
  • Genuine alignment with Peregrine's mission and an interest in the people and communities we serve.
What You'll Help Build
You'll have meaningful creative ownership and play an important role in shaping the future of video at Peregrine. We're building a creative team with high standards and a long-term vision. As we continue to grow, you'll help influence the creative direction of our work, evolve and refine our workflows, and expand how we tell stories across the company. Our goal is to create work that people genuinely choose to watch, that our subjects feel proud to see themselves in, and that reflects the care and humanity behind every story.
 

Salary Range: $120,000 - $140,000 Annually + Benefits + Equity (if applicable) + Bonus (if applicable)

Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific work location. Information on the benefits offered is here.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Apply