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 Much to Charge for Short-Form Video Editing (Reels, TikTok, Shorts)
Short-form video editors typically charge $40–$150 per clip for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Bulk packages of 10–20 clips per month range from $400–$1,200 depending on complexity and turnaround speed.
Floor
$40
per hour
Typical
$80
per hour
Premium
$150
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
- Video length (15 seconds vs. 60 seconds vs. 3 minutes)
- Audio sync complexity
- Caption and text overlay style
- Number of clips per month
- Raw footage quality
- Platform-specific formatting requirements
- Trend research and hook optimization
Real quote breakdowns
Single Instagram Reel (30 Seconds)
A restaurant client needs one polished 30-second Reel with music sync, text overlays, and color grading from provided phone footage.
Breakdown
1.5 hours at $50/hr = $75, rounded to $80 flat rate for the scope.
Bundle of 12 TikTok Clips
A lifestyle brand needs 12 TikTok clips per month, each 30–60 seconds, with trending audio, captions, and a consistent visual style.
Breakdown
12 clips at $70/clip = $840. Small volume discount applied from standard $80 rate.
Repurposed Long-Form to 5 Shorts
A podcaster wants 5 YouTube Shorts repurposed from a 60-minute episode. Editor selects clips, adds captions, reformats to vertical, and adds music.
Breakdown
5 Shorts at $70 each = $350. Clip selection and reformatting included. One revision per clip.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to edit a TikTok or Reel?
A straightforward 30–60 second short takes 45–90 minutes. Heavily animated or trend-driven edits can take 2–3 hours per clip.
Should short-form edits be priced lower than long-form?
Per-minute, short-form actually commands higher rates due to the creative density required — every second must hook the viewer. Don't underprice just because the final runtime is short.
Do I need special software for short-form editing?
CapCut, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve all handle short-form well. CapCut's auto-caption feature is especially efficient for high-volume short-form editing.
How do I price caption-only packages for short-form?
Caption-only packages for short-form videos run $15–$40 per clip. If bundling with a full edit, add $10–$20 per clip to your base rate.