Pro Editor Reveals How To Hit $100K In 2026

Have you been editing for years and your work looks technically solid, but the better projects and higher pay still feel out of reach? I’ve been there. Early in my career, I watched other editors hit six figures while I struggled to land gigs. Everything changed once I learned how professional editors actually think and work. That shift helped me build a six-figure career, make over $1 million from editing before age 30, and work on Super Bowl commercials, feature documentaries, and projects with Oscar-winning talent.

In this video, I break down the following five-step system I’ve used for over 20 years—and the same system I teach my students—to help editors break into high-end, creatively fulfilling work.

• Plan every edit around emotion and story
  I was stuck for years because I focused on tools instead of how an edit makes an audience feel. Once I learned to prioritize story and emotion, my work finally stood out.

• Apply those skills to high-end portfolio pieces
  You don’t get hired for the work you want by editing random projects. You need polished, intentional pieces that look and feel like high-end work.

• Get feedback from a pro editor
  This is the real shortcut. Detailed feedback from someone working at the level you want eliminates guesswork and accelerates growth.

• Create a high-converting showreel and portfolio
  High-end clients don’t want to see everything you’ve ever done. They want short, targeted reels designed specifically for them, backed by a clean, professional website.

• Use simple, strategic outreach
  You don’t need to become an extroverted salesperson. A small amount of focused outreach (done the right way) can produce most of your results.

These five steps remove the exact roadblocks that keep talented editors stuck in low-paying, unfulfilling work.