Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
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Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How to Set Your Monthly Retainer Rate as a Podcast Editor
Monthly podcast editing retainers typically range from $300–$1,500/month depending on episode frequency, length, and bundled services. Retainers provide revenue predictability and priority scheduling — in exchange for guaranteed monthly commitment, clients usually receive a 10–15% discount vs. per-episode pricing.
Floor
$300
per hour
Typical
$700
per hour
Premium
$1,500
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
What changes the price
- Number of episodes per month
- Episode length and edit complexity
- Bundled deliverables — show notes, audiograms, transcripts
- Priority turnaround guarantee
- Whether unused episodes roll over
- Contract length — month-to-month vs. 3 or 6 months
- Add-on services — social clips, newsletter summaries
Real quote breakdowns
Weekly 30-minute interview show
A host publishes 4 episodes monthly. Each episode needs light editing, noise reduction, music bookends, and MP3 export.
Breakdown
4 episodes × $90/episode (10% retainer discount from $100/episode). 2-business-day turnaround. 3-month minimum.
Bi-weekly 60-minute show with full deliverables
A business podcast publishes 2 episodes monthly, each 60 minutes, with full editing, show notes, and a 60-second audiogram.
Breakdown
2 episodes × $210/episode. Audio: $150, show notes: $40, audiogram: $20. Monthly retainer with same-day rush available once per month.
Daily micro-podcast retainer
A brand produces 20 short (10-minute) daily episodes per month. Light edit, consistent template, and Spotify/Apple export.
Breakdown
20 episodes × $60/episode (volume discount from $75/episode). Highly templated workflow — batch processing reduces per-unit time.
Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum retainer commitment I should require as a podcast editor?
Three months is a reasonable minimum. It takes 2–3 episodes to fully optimize your workflow for a new client's show. A minimum commitment protects you from investing time in onboarding a client who leaves after one episode. Month-to-month retainers are acceptable but should carry a slightly higher rate to reflect the reduced commitment.
What happens if a podcast client takes a hiatus during a retainer?
Include a pause policy: retainer clients can pause up to one month per 6-month period with 2 weeks notice. During a pause, you're not obligated to hold their slot or their rate. Unpaid pauses longer than one month should trigger a retainer renewal conversation — long hiatuses effectively end the relationship.
Should I include priority turnaround in my retainer pricing?
Yes — priority turnaround (guaranteed delivery within 1–2 business days) is a tangible retainer benefit that justifies the commitment. State it explicitly in your retainer offer. Clients who can't predict delivery timelines are more likely to shop around; retainers with clear SLAs remove that anxiety.
How do I upsell retainer clients to higher tiers?
Quarterly retainer reviews give natural moments to propose upgrades. Track which add-on services you're doing informally (social clips, writing guest bios, etc.) and formalize them as a premium tier. Frame upgrades around the client's growth: 'You're now getting 50,000 downloads per episode — a show notes + audiogram package would help you capture that audience on social.'