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.
How to Set Your Per-Episode Rate as a Freelance Podcast Editor
Per-episode pricing is the most common billing model for podcast editors, with rates ranging from $75–$400 per episode based on length, edit depth, and deliverables. This model gives clients predictable monthly costs and lets you optimize your workflow for efficiency without billing less as you get faster.
Floor
$75
per hour
Typical
$175
per hour
Premium
$400
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
- Episode length — price by 30-minute tiers is common
- Edit level — light cleanup, standard edit, or full content edit
- Deliverables beyond audio — show notes, transcript, audiogram
- Rush turnaround premium
- Number of episodes per month — volume discount threshold
- Recording quality of incoming audio
- Platform-specific exports required (Apple, Spotify, etc.)
Real quote breakdowns
30-minute interview show, standard edit
Weekly 30-minute podcast. Light edit: filler removal, noise reduction, level matching, music intro/outro, and MP3 export at spec.
Breakdown
~2 hours effective rate at $50/hr. Workflow: project setup (15 min), edit (75 min), master (15 min), export (15 min). Monthly: $400 for 4 episodes.
60-minute interview show, full service
Weekly 60-minute business podcast. Full edit + show notes + audiogram clip for social media. Host publishes 4 episodes monthly.
Breakdown
Audio edit: $140. Show notes: $50. Audiogram: $30. Monthly retainer rate: $880. Slight discount from $940 a la carte total for guaranteed volume.
Bi-weekly narrative show, premium tier
A bi-weekly narrative documentary podcast with 40-minute episodes requiring story editing, music integration, and sound design.
Breakdown
~7 hours × $53/hr effective rate. Story assembly (3h), sound design (2h), music/mastering (1.5h), export/QC (0.5h). Monthly: $750 for 2 episodes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my per-episode rate from an hourly target?
Track your time on 5–10 similar episodes, calculate your average hours per episode, then multiply by your target hourly rate. Add 15–20% for admin, revision, and unexpected complexity. Example: if a 45-minute interview consistently takes 3.5 hours and you want $65/hr, your per-episode rate should be at least $250.
How do I handle episodes that run significantly longer than the agreed length?
Build overage language into your contract: 'Base rate covers up to [X] minutes of raw audio. Episodes over [X] minutes billed at $[Y] per additional 15 minutes.' Many podcast hosts consistently run over their stated target length — priced-in overages prevent ongoing negotiation and normalize the practice.
Should I offer a volume discount for podcasters publishing more than once a week?
Yes — high-frequency publishers often commit to longer retainers and create a stable workflow. A 10–15% volume discount for 6+ episodes/month is reasonable. Frame it as a retainer reward for commitment, not a general price reduction. Specify the discount applies only if episodes arrive on a consistent schedule.
How do I raise my per-episode rates for existing clients?
Give 30–60 days notice and frame increases as a rate review tied to your annual update, not a reaction to a specific issue. A 10–15% increase annually keeps rates sustainable. Loyal clients rarely leave over a modest, well-communicated increase — the switching cost of finding and training a new editor is significant.