How much to charge for video editing
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
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.
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 |
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.
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.