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 a Day Rate as a Freelance Video Editor
Freelance video editor day rates typically range from $400–$1,200 per day (8 hours). Entry-level editors charge $400–$600/day, mid-level $600–$900/day, and senior editors or specialists $900–$1,500+/day.
Floor
$400
per hour
Typical
$750
per hour
Premium
$1,400
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
- Years of experience and portfolio strength
- Niche specialization (narrative, corporate, broadcast)
- Software proficiency (Avid, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve)
- On-site vs. remote editing requirements
- Equipment and software rental included
- Geographic market (NYC/LA vs. smaller markets)
- Union vs. non-union production
- Project duration (single day vs. multi-week booking)
Real quote breakdowns
Single-Day Commercial Edit
An ad agency books a mid-level editor for one day to cut a 30-second TV commercial from a professional shoot. Editor works on-site in Avid.
Breakdown
Standard day rate for a mid-level commercial editor in a mid-size market. 8 hours on-site. Client provides all assets. Rate is $800/day.
3-Day Documentary Assembly Cut
An independent documentary producer hires an experienced editor for 3 days to build an assembly cut from 40 hours of interview and B-roll footage.
Breakdown
3 days at $900/day = $2,700. Senior documentary specialist rate. Remote edit, editor provides own DaVinci Resolve license.
2-Week Corporate Campaign Edit
A brand hires a senior editor for 10 business days to produce a 6-video campaign series. On-site at their production facility, Avid Media Composer required.
Breakdown
10 days at $1,200/day = $12,000. Senior rate reflecting on-site requirement, Avid expertise, and multi-deliverable campaign complexity.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use a day rate instead of hourly or per-project pricing?
Use a day rate when a client needs you available for a full day, especially on-set or in a facility. Day rates eliminate scope creep from hourly and are standard in broadcast, commercial, and film production.
Should I charge a half-day rate for bookings under 5 hours?
Yes. Charge 60–65% of your day rate for half-day bookings (typically 4–5 hours). This compensates for the fact that a half-day blocks time you could otherwise fill with another client.
How do I handle overtime on a day rate?
Define a day as 8 or 10 hours in your contract. Bill additional hours at 1.25x–1.5x your hourly equivalent. On union productions, overtime is contractually mandated after 8 hours at time-and-a-half.
Should my day rate include software and equipment?
If editing remotely on your own system, build a $50–$150/day equipment and software fee into your day rate. If working on the client's facility and hardware, this is not needed — but clarify who provides the edit suite upfront.