How much to charge for video editing
Rates reviewed July 2026
Most video editing is priced $30–$200 per finished minute in 2026, with about $75 typical. By the job, a short social clip usually runs $50–$250. Your rate depends mainly on volume of raw footage to sort and complexity.
Freelance video editing is priced per finished minute or per project, never per hour of raw footage, which silently punishes you for being efficient. Charge for the result and cap revisions.
You should charge
$74
per finished minute · typical $30–$200
Quote at the low end instead of here and you hand back $44 per finished minute. Every single job.
Why this number. Price per finished minute or per project and write a revision cap into every quote (e.g. two rounds included). Unlimited revisions is how editors quietly work for free.
Got your number? The hard part is keeping it when the client pushes back.
Typical video editing prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Short social clip | $50 – $250 |
| YouTube video (8–12 min) | $150 – $700 |
| Wedding / event film | $800 – $3,000 |
Free · The words, not just the number
Get the video editing pricing script
A short, calm script for quoting video editing in person. The goal is not to pitch. It is to ask a few good questions, say your number once without flinching, and let them talk themselves into yes.
- ✓The questions to ask before you ever name a price
- ✓How to say your number so it lands, then stay quiet
- ✓The line for when they say "that's too much" (no discounting)
- ✓A rate-increase template for clients you already have
- ✓Plus What to Say: the free AI that answers any client pushback
Instant unlock, and a copy in your inbox. No spam. The calculator stays free either way.
What changes the price
- Volume of raw footage to sort
- Complexity: motion graphics, color grade, sound design
- Number of revision rounds
- Turnaround speed
The pricing move most people miss
Price per finished minute or per project and write a revision cap into every quote (e.g. two rounds included). Unlimited revisions is how editors quietly work for free.
What to SayAI
They pushed back on your price? Get the exact reply.
Paste what a video editing client says. A sales-psychology-trained AI writes the words that hold your price, in seconds. Free.
Get the reply →Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for video editing?+
Most video editing is priced $30–$200 per finished minute, with a typical rate around $75 per finished minute. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to volume of raw footage to sort and complexity: motion graphics, color grade, sound design. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
What is the best way to price video editing?+
Most video editing is priced per finished minute, which is easy for clients to understand. Set a clear minimum so small jobs still cover your time and travel, and bundle add-ons into packages to lift the average ticket rather than discounting.
How much should I charge for video editing as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $30 to $75 per finished minute. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $200.
What affects how much video editing costs?+
The biggest factors are volume of raw footage to sort; complexity: motion graphics, color grade, sound design; number of revision rounds; turnaround speed. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote video editing so the client says yes?+
Price per finished minute or per project and write a revision cap into every quote (e.g. two rounds included). Unlimited revisions is how editors quietly work for free. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.