Freelance Video Editor Rates in 2025 – Per Hour & Project (Real Examples)

BizToolKit
Aug 3
2 min read

Whether you're a freelance video editor or hiring one, understanding the current rates in 2025 is key to pricing or budgeting correctly. With the growing demand for short-form content (like Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts), editors are more in demand than ever.

In this guide, you'll get:

Real freelance video editor rates for 2025
Hourly vs. project-based pricing breakdown
What factors impact how much editors charge
A pricing calculator to estimate your own rate (coming soon!)

Average Hourly Rates for Video Editors in 2025

Experience Level	Hourly Rate (USD)
Beginner (0–1 years)	$20 – $40/hour
Intermediate (2–4 years)	$40 – $75/hour
Advanced (5+ years)	$75 – $150/hour
Specialized/Niche (e.g. Motion Graphics, VFX)	$100 – $250/hour

Tip: Hourly rates are great for ongoing projects, retainer clients, or tasks with flexible scopes.

Common Project-Based Pricing (Fixed)

Type of Project	Typical Price Range
Instagram Reel (30–60 sec)	$50 – $150
TikTok Video	$40 – $120
YouTube Video (5–10 min)	$150 – $600
Promo/Ad Video (with basic effects)	$300 – $1,200
Explainer/Animated Video (up to 2 min)	$500 – $2,500
Full YouTube Editing Package (4+ videos/month)	$600 – $2,000+

Project rates often depend on turnaround time, number of revisions, effects, animation, and whether the client provides raw footage, script, or storyboard.

What Affects the Price?

Experience & Niche – Editors specializing in motion graphics or VFX can charge more.
Content Type – Short-form content tends to cost less, but may involve faster turnaround.
Client Type – Startups and small brands may have different budgets than agencies or production houses.
Deadlines & Revisions – Rush jobs and unlimited revisions? Higher fee.
Use Rights – Commercial use may increase the price, especially for ads or TV spots.

Freelance Editor Pricing Examples (Real Scenarios)

Junior editor from the Philippines: $35/hour for YouTube editing, 48-hour turnaround
US-based mid-level editor: $500/month for 4 Reels + 2 YouTube Shorts
VFX motion designer: $175/hour for product animation with After Effects

Should You Charge Hourly or Per Project?

Hourly: Good for clients you trust, or when scope isn’t defined.Per Project: Better for content packages, YouTube channels, or predictable formats.Hybrid: Set base project price, then charge hourly for extra rounds of edits.