When outsourcing your video editing work, the first question that’ll trouble you is: how much does it cost to hire a video editor?
And admit it or not, this very question will lead your entire hunt for the perfect video editor. As it should.
You know you’ll be putting out at least 10-20 videos per month. Whether you’re a YouTuber or a small-scale business, that’s the minimum count you need to get a decent reach and following.
If editing per video costs you $300 (which is the standard market rate), you’ll need an extra $3000/month just for video editing!
That’s a bad deal. You could go bankrupt in days.
So, here in this post, we’ll share some honest and direct answers about how much does it cost to hire a video editor. But along with our honest insights, we will also share some ways to reduce the costs on your end.
You cannot avoid spending on video editing if you wish to be a successful video creator. But you can definitely be smart about it. And we’ll tell you how!
Table of Contents
How much does it cost to hire a video editor?
The exact costs of hiring a video editor depend on two factors:
- Type of video editor
- Pricing model
Here are details for both:
Type of Video Editor
There are three types of video editors with respect to the mode of work. These include internal video editors, video editing companies, and freelance video editors.
Generally, video editing companies are the cheapest option. They deliver the best value for your money. These companies are well-trained, quick to adapt to different styles, and deliver edited videos in the shortest time frames.
But if you have super specific needs, you might want to consider an internal video editor. It’s easier to train an individual according to your personal tastes and preferences compared to an entire company.
With that said, freelance video editors are a good option too, if you seek super personalized editing. However, you cannot rely on a freelance video editor. The nature of their work is not to commit to you full-time or 24/7. It means if they’re on a vacation, you can’t do much about it. You’ll have to wait. And they are not liable to explain it to you or inform you beforehand.
Pricing Models
All three types of video editors can charge you for their services in any of the following pricing models:
- Fixed Salary
- Hourly rates
- By project
- By subscriptions
So far, hourly rates are most popular amongst video editors. But as a business, it’ll be expensive for you. Subscriptions and packages are more economical.
Standard Rates for Video Editors
Here are the standard rates for different types of video editors:
In House Video Editor
In house video editors usually demand a fixed salary. The average salary for video editors in the USA is about $32.2k/year to $103k/year (check out the latest salaries for video editors in the USA here). According to the standard rates, it means around $2500 per month to $8500 per month.
The higher the experience of the editor, the higher they will charge. Other factors that may influence their pricing include:
- Academic knowledge and expertise with respect to video editing
- Skillset and experience
- Recognition in industry
- Creativity
At times, internal video editors may also charge by the project. Their charges by the project are usually high, and it’s not wise to keep your internal video editor on a project basis.
That’s because since you are not promising a fixed salary, they may onboard other permanent clients and get busy with other projects. This means you won’t have their support when you need it.
Video Editing Service
Video editing companies are a safe and economical choice. You don’t have to worry about screening each video editor’s skill on the team. So that saves you time.
Instead, you’ll have to assess their credibility. You can do that simply by browsing their clientele’s reviews and previous work. Do a paid project with them. And that will further give you an idea about the quality of their work.
Usually, video editing companies charge by deals. Some offer subscription plans. Here are the best video editing companies to outsource your video o editing work:
- Editvideo.io – Starting at $245/month
- Tasty Edits – Starting at $740/month
- Video Husky – Starting at $549/month
- Be Creatives – Starting at $899/month
- CutYeti – Starting at $547/month
Editvideo.io charges the lowest package of them all. So, if you’re a small business seeking budget video editing services, we’re an excellent fit.
Browse our work here and drop us a message if you’re willing to discuss your project.
Freelance Video Editor
Freelance video editors are convenient with respect to pricing and commitment. You can find a freelance video editor on Fiverr or Upwork at as low as $15/hour. This means you could get a 10-minutes YouTube video for $75 only.
Apart from that, freelance video editors charge by projects. The average by-project rates for video editors are about $100-$250 per project.
It’s better to hire freelance video editors on by-project rates. That’s because it’s more economical. Hourly rates depend on the video editor and his working pace, which means he can charge you unreasonably high rates.
Tips to save when hiring a video editor
So, how to hire a video editor on a budget? What factors do you consider? And what factors do you prioritize to save on costs?
Here are some tips:
1. Hire a well-equipped video editor
Hire someone who already has all the equipment and software you want them to use. For example, if you prefer Adobe Suite over online video editing software, ensure that the video editor you’re hiring already has it in their toolbox.
If you buy them the software, you’re not only wasting money but also your time. They probably do not have experience with your preferred software, which means their edits won’t be perfect.
2. Hire platform relevant video editor
A TikTok video editor is very different from an Instagram video editor. The same goes for a YouTube video editor and website video editor.
All platforms have their specific needs. So, if a video editor specializes in a certain type of video editing, he probably knows how to optimize the videos for that particular platform.
This means you save money and time on optimization. They will not only produce a well-edited video. But they will also bring you a video that’s relevant to the audience on your respective platform.
3. Opt for subscription-based services
Most video editing companies promise 4-6 videos in videos basic monthly subscription plans. We recommend availing of it.
You can get at least four videos edited for the price of one. Plus, most companies offer unlimited revisions. So, even if there’s something you don’t find fit, you can request them to edit again.
Final Words
Let’s quickly recap the basic rates for video editors before we sign off.
- Hourly rate: $15 – $150/hour
- By project: $100+ per project
- Salary: $2500/month or more
Subscription-based plans: $245/month (includes 4-6 videos). You can further reduce the cost you pay by implementing the tips above. Budget wisely!
