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Trailer Editor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ZEALOT

Freelance Assistant Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Freelance Assistant Editor ZEALOT is a powerhouse of creativity and innovation in entertainment marketing with a rich history of crafting compelling trailers, TV spots, and digital campaigns for some ...

Zealot

Freelance Assistant Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$28 - $32/hr

Freelance Assistant Editor ZEALOT is a powerhouse of creativity and innovation in entertainment marketing with a rich history of crafting compelling trailers, TV spots, and digital campaigns for some ...

Plutus LLC

Adult Video Editor IC

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$40/hr

Independent Contractor - Adult Video Editor Engagement Type: Independent Contractor (1099) Location ... Create trailers, promotional clips, and social media content. * Apply graphics, subtitles, branding ...

Smosh

Social Media Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The editor will partner closely with Social Media, Production, and Marketing to create engaging ... Edit marketing materials such as highlight reels, vertical trailers and vertical teasers.

Smosh

Social Media Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$71K - $75K/yr

The editor will partner closely with Social Media, Production, and Marketing to create engaging ... Edit marketing materials such as highlight reels, vertical trailers and vertical teasers.

Smosh

Social Media Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The editor will partner closely with Social Media, Production, and Marketing to create engaging ... Edit marketing materials such as highlight reels, vertical trailers and vertical teasers.

Smosh

Social Media Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The editor will partner closely with Social Media, Production, and Marketing to create engaging ... Edit marketing materials such as highlight reels, vertical trailers and vertical teasers.

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All JobsTrailer Editor JobsTrailer Editor Jobs in California

Trailer Editor information

See California salary details

$12

$28

$46

How much do trailer editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for trailer editor in California is $28.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.83 and $31.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a trailer editor do?

As a trailer editor, you cut and edit film footage to create a preview trailer for a movie. In this role, you may help decide which scene or scenes to highlight in the trailer and work to fulfill a specific advertising or project goal. For example, action movies often have trailers that portray the movie as fast and exciting, while mystery films may highlight a question while avoiding any information about the answer. Trailer editors often work with other advertising staff to ensure a consistent marketing campaign across all channels. This job frequently involves modifying audio and video and may require coordinating with a special effects studio.

What is the difference between Trailer Editor vs Video Editor?

AspectTrailer EditorVideo Editor
CredentialsTypically requires editing experience, possibly film or media-related certificationsRequires general editing skills, often with a broader range of software knowledge
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in film, TV, or advertising industries focusing on trailersIn various industries including corporate, entertainment, social media
Industry UsageCommonly used in entertainment and advertising for promotional contentUsed across multiple sectors for diverse video projects

While both roles involve editing videos, a Trailer Editor specializes in creating promotional trailers for films, TV shows, or commercials, focusing on capturing audience interest. A Video Editor has a broader scope, working on various types of video content across industries. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

Do trailer editors get paid a lot of money?

Trailer editors can earn a wide range of salaries depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may pay modestly, while experienced editors working on major film or advertising projects can earn high salaries, often supplemented by freelance work or bonuses. Overall, trailer editing is a specialized skill that can be financially rewarding for those with strong editing and storytelling abilities.

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

To thrive as a Trailer Editor, strong video editing skills, a creative eye for storytelling, and proficiency with editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro are essential, often supported by a degree in film, media, or a related field. Familiarity with sound design, motion graphics, and industry-standard tools like After Effects is typically required. Excellent communication, time management, and the ability to interpret creative briefs make someone stand out in this position. These skills ensure engaging, high-quality trailers that effectively capture audience attention and convey the intended message under tight deadlines.

What is a trailer editor?

A Trailer Editor is a professional responsible for creating captivating trailers for films, TV shows, video games, or other visual media. They skillfully select and arrange footage, sound, and music to craft a compelling preview that attracts audiences and conveys the essence of the full production. Trailer Editors work closely with directors, producers, and marketing teams to ensure the trailer aligns with the project's vision and promotional goals. Their work requires strong storytelling abilities, technical editing skills, and creativity under tight deadlines.

How much money do trailer editors make?

Trailer editors typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior or highly skilled editors working in major markets can earn higher salaries, especially if they have expertise in editing software like Adobe Premiere or Avid Media Composer.

What are some typical challenges faced by trailer editors when working with limited source material?

Trailer editors often encounter the challenge of crafting a compelling narrative from incomplete or unfinished footage, especially when working on projects that are still in post-production. This requires creativity in storytelling and the ability to repurpose available scenes to evoke emotion and excitement without revealing spoilers. Close collaboration with directors, producers, and marketing teams is essential to ensure the trailer aligns with the film’s tone and promotional strategy. Flexibility and strong communication skills are crucial for addressing last-minute changes and meeting tight deadlines.
More about Trailer Editor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Trailer Editor jobs in California? The most popular types of Trailer Editor jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Trailer Editor jobs in California? For Trailer Editor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Trailer Editor jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Trailer Editor jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Trailer Editor jobs? Cities in California with the most Trailer Editor job openings:
Trailer Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trailer Editor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $59,026 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Assistant Editor, finishing

24 Seven Talent

Los Angeles, CA

$35/hr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Description Assistant Editor / Finishing Editor 100% Onsite. west hollywood Contract, 40 hrs a week 1 month project, high potential to extend! $35.hr (w2, eligible for benefits!) We're looking for an Assistant Editor with hands-on Finishing experience to join a creative production studio producing premium trailers, branded content, and cinematic campaigns for the entertainment and gaming industries. This role supports the editorial pipeline from media ingest through final delivery while also taking ownership of finishing smaller projects. You'll work closely with Editors, Production, Graphics, and Post teams to ensure every piece is technically flawless and delivered to the highest quality standards. What You'll Do Ingest, organize, transcode, and manage media for editorial workflows Build and maintain organized Adobe Premiere projects Generate proxies, manage high-resolution media, and support shared storage environments Prepare projects for color correction, VFX, graphics, audio, and finishing Manage turnovers, media relinks, conform prep, and project cleanup Support HDR and SDR workflows in Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve Perform quality control on picture, audio, graphics, captions, and final deliverables Export review files and final masters for broadcast, digital, social, and streaming platforms Conform and finish smaller editorial projects from locked cut through final delivery Integrate final color, audio mixes, graphics, legal copy, and localization assets into master files Execute high-resolution relinks, versioning, and multi-aspect ratio deliverables Troubleshoot technical issues involving codecs, frame rates, color spaces, scaling, and delivery specifications Collaborate with editors, producers, graphics artists, and external vendors to ensure smooth post-production workflows What We're Looking For 2-4+ years of Assistant Editor, Online Editor, or Finishing Editor experience in a trailer house, post-production studio, agency, or broadcast environment Advanced Adobe Premiere Pro experience Working knowledge of DaVinci Resolve, including conforming and high-resolution workflows Experience with finishing workflows from locked edit through final master Strong understanding of ProRes, DNx, EXR, H.264, proxy workflows, and shared storage environments Familiarity with HDR workflows (HDR10, Rec.2020, PQ) and color-managed pipelines Knowledge of frame rates, aspect ratios, broadcast and digital delivery specifications Experience preparing projects for color, VFX, graphics, and audio vendors Exceptional troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and strong quality control instincts Experience supporting entertainment, gaming, trailers, or commercial campaigns is highly preferred If you're passionate about post-production, enjoy solving complex technical challenges, and want to work on high-profile entertainment and gaming campaigns, we'd love to hear from you! #J-18808-Ljbffr

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