Video editing cost in 2025 starts at $15 per hour and $5 per minute. Project-based video editing is determined by the project volume, footage, advanced editing, and customization. The price varies by format, complexity, service model, such as freelancer or outsourcing, video length, level of editing, purpose, turnaround, revisions, etc.
AI video editing offers a fast and cost-effective solution; however, completely using AI-based editing may compromise video quality and deviate from the commercial target, increasing cost and wasting time. Collaborating with expert video editors is the best option to ensure consistent, scalable, and high-quality results.
What you’ll learn in this article
How Much Does Video Editing Cost?
The video editing cost starts at $15 per hour and $5 per minute. Project-based pricing depends on the video, its length, volume, and level of editing. The demand for high-quality video has skyrocketed, and so has the editing cost. The expense to edit videos also varies depending on an in-house video editor, a freelance video editor, and an outsourcing video editor.
According to a 2025 data by Verified Market Reports titled ‘Global Video Editing Software Market Size By User Type (Professional Users, Amateur Users), By Platform (Desktop Software, Mobile Applications), By Functionality (Basic Video Editing, Advanced Video Editing), By Pricing Model (One-Time Purchase, Subscription-Based), By Industry Verticals (Entertainment and Media, Education), By Geographic Scope And Forecast‘, it is stated that Video Editing Software Market size forecast to achieve USD 11.40 Billion by 2033. As the demand for video rises, so does the cost of software and other tools, which also contributes to the price of processing videos.
How Much Does Video Editing Cost Per Hour?
Video editing cost starts at $15 per hour if you hire an entry-level editor. Experienced video editors charge $70 or more per hour. It also varies based on project complexity, inclusion of advanced techniques, and personalized solutions. Cost per hour is applied to editing social media videos, short films, promotional campaigns, etc.
How Much Does Video Editing Cost Per Minute?
Video editing cost starts at $5 per minute for the basic level, which includes simple editing, basic audio adjusting, footage resizing, etc. Medium and professional level video editing per minute cost starts at $15, and includes advanced transition, color correction, audio synchronization, etc.
High-end level video editing costs per minute start at $50, and these types of editing often include advanced transitions, motion graphics, color grading, etc. Video editing per minute is mostly used in social media shorts and reels, advertisement videos, quick tutorials, etc.
How Much Does Video Editing Cost in a Project?
The video editing cost in a project is determined by the footage quality, volume, editing type, complexity, etc. Editing a vlogging video would take around $300. A wedding video processing costs on average $500. A corporate or commercial video editing costs around $1000 or more. Project-based video editing is applied to full-day coverage videos, highlight reels, training videos, brand materials, etc.
How Much Does it Cost to Edit a YouTube Video?
To edit a YouTube video, the cost starts at $30 for short-form videos and $80 for long-form videos. Video editors price the editing based on the video’s length and complexity. A video needing simple edits and short in length costs less than $30. A branded video, even if it is shorter in length, may cost $100, depending on its complexity and the use of graphics and effects.
What is the Average Cost of Editing a Wedding Video?
The average cost of editing a wedding video is $500, considering raw footage, cameras and angles, deliverable formats, turnaround, etc. This price goes lower if you choose basic highlights. If you want editing of full-lengths such as 30+ minutes, the editing cost would be $2500 or above.
What is the Cost to Edit Social Media Videos?
The cost to edit social media videos, including shorts, ads, and video clips, starts at $80. A promotional or ad video of 10 seconds may cost $300 to $2000. The calculation of social video editing cost factors in the aspect ratio, formatting, use of effects, brand guidelines, revisions, video lengths, etc.
How Much Does Video Editing Cost by Experience Level?
Video editing cost by experience level starts around $20 for individual beginners and go up to $20,000 or more for an expert team of video editors. Beginner video editors offer personal video editing, small-volume projects, travel vlogs, etc.
Intermediate to professional level video editing costs range between $500 and $5000, which includes promotional video editing, wedding video editing, and branded content editing. Experienced video editors offer all types of video editing solutions, from commercials, corporate, to feature films, and customized editing.
Is There a Difference in Cost Between Short-form and Long-form Video Editing?
Yes, there is a key difference in cost between short-form and long-form video editing, which includes the level of editing techniques. Short-form videos, being fewer seconds to a minute, have simple storytelling, include social clips and ads to edit. You will receive short-form edited videos faster than long-form videos. Long-form videos include deeper narrative editing and more footage, increasing the expense of videos.
Other differences between short-form and long-form video editing cost factors are as follows.
| Factors | Short-Form Video Cost | Long-Form Video Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Footage complexity | Fewer angles | Multi-camera and numerous raw footage |
| Deliverable formats | Single version | Multiple formats/platforms |
| Turnaround | Regular turnaround | Tight deadline |
| Number of revisions | Required less for non | May require several rounds |
| Length of Output | A few hours of editing | Long hours of editing |
How Much Does Video Editing Cost in the USA?
Video editing costs around $80,000 in the USA. According to an answered query by Glassdoor titled ‘How much does a Video Editor make?‘, it is shown that video editors make $54K – $97K/year, where $73K/year stands as the median total pay. It increases much more for an organization by adding overhead costs.
Other factors contribute to the price of editing videos in the USA, such as video editors’ experience, type of editing, working type (hourly, daily, monthly, or project basis), complexity of the project, turnaround time, revision rounds, clients’ geographic location, etc.
What is the Difference Between Freelance and Outsourced Video Editing Costs?
The key difference between freelance and outsourced video editing costs lies in the scope of expenses involved. Freelance video editors are individual persons who charge per hour, per image, or on a per-project basis. Outsource video editing consists of a team of industry expert video editors, who deal with a large volume of video projects, and serve at an affordable price range.
| Freelance Video Editing Cost Factors | Outsource Video Editing Cost Factors |
|---|---|
| Editor experience & skill level | Specialized skills and customization |
| Project complexity & duration | Package pricing & volume deals |
| Geographic variation | Turnaround and consistent quality |
| Areas of expertise | Flexibility and scalability |
Table: Cost factors of freelance and outsourced video editing
Freelance video editing is best suited for small projects, individual content creators, or solopreneurs. Compared to outsourcing, freelancing costs less. Outsourcing video editing from agencies is best for high-volume, bulk amounts, and medium to complex and custom video editing. Hiring video editing agencies to edit footage costs less than half of managing a 2-member in-house video editing team. Also, such agencies are equipped with versatile skills and knowledge of trends, which allows you to add a fresh perspective and creativity in your video content.
How to Reduce Video Editing Costs?
To reduce video editing cost, hire a knowledgeable video editor, send high-quality videos to edit, get your videos edited in bundles, take advantage of cut-off prices or discounts, minimize the number of revisions, allow editing flexibility, and repurpose your video content.
- Hire a knowledgeable video editor: Choosing external experts to edit videos will save you organizational overhead costs.
- Send high-quality videos to edit: Low-quality footage takes more effort and uses advanced technology; it increases the cost.
- Get your videos edited in bundles: Combine multiple similar videos into one editing workflow; it will cut down overall video processing cost.
- Take advantage of cut-off prices or discounts: Keep an eye on the video editing company’s offer or discounted price, you may save the cost of editing the whole year.
- Minimize the number of revisions: Provide a clear brief, instructions, and samples (if possible) to your editor for precise editing and limit the number of revision rounds to control editing cost.
- Allow editing flexibility: Urgent editing always makes a hike in the price of video editing. Stick to the regular editing time of the editors.
- Repurpose your video content: Get your videos edited once and repurpose them in different versions for marketing purposes. It will maximize output and minimize the cost of video processing.
Do Revisions Increase the Cost of Video Editing?
Yes, revisions increase the cost of video editing. When you agree on a base rate, many editors and agencies offer the first 1-2 revisions free. But after that, each additional revision will fall under extra charges. It may be either per revision or via an hourly rate, depending on your requirements.
What Questions to Ask When Negotiating Video Editing Rates?
When negotiating video editing rates with your video editors, ask the following 8 questions.
- What is the editor’s experience level, portfolio, and software they use? How does this impact the cost?
- What is included in the quoted rate? Is there any discount or off-price available for bulk projects?
- What is the Typical timeline and turnaround for your project? How much does the cost vary for expedited services?
- Considering the scope and complexity of the project (footage hours, effects required, deliverable length), how will those impact cost?
- What payment structure do you use for your video editing cost – hourly, daily, or fixed-project?
- Do you offer free revisions? If yes, how many and what’s the price of each revision?
- How do you price the software/format (transfer, storage, delivery, etc)?
- Are there any cost benefits available for new clients or repeat clients?
How to Calculate Video Editing Cost?
To calculate the video editing cost for your project, use the formula as follows.
| Video Editing Cost = Base Rate + (Extra Revisions × Revision Fee) + Expedited Fees + Add-ons (graphics, stock, sound) |
While counting the editing costs of video, consider the video’s length, complexity, and editing level, editing model (freelance or agency), turnaround, discount, and revisions.
- The videos’ length, complexity, and editing level are used to determine the price. Generally, the more elements, the more costs.
- Editing models, freelancers offer an hourly or project basis price, whereas agencies offer package and custom prices.
- Agencies deliver projects faster than individual freelancers. A tight deadline increases cost.
- Editing a bulk amount of footage will reduce the cost of repeatedly editing.
- Depending on the service provider, revisions can be free or premium.
Why Should We Not Rely on AI Video Editing to Reduce Costs?
We should not rely on AI video editing to reduce costs because of its compromise to footage quality, causing copyright issues, a lack of precision in applying colors, effects, or following instructions, and misinterpreting creative intentions. Relying solely on AI to edit videos may create wrong outputs, multiplying your cost or time.
Other reasons why you should not create AI-based editing to reduce cost are as follows.
- Misinterpretation of creative intent
- Errors in transitions, motion graphics, or color grading
- Unauthorized use of stock clips, music, or generated content
- Lacking in following branded guidelines
- Incompetency in complex multi-camera or layered footage
- Limited adaptability
FAQ’s About Video Editing Prices
What are video post-production costs?
Video post-production costs are the expenses in exchange for which a video editor makes upgrades to the videos using color, sound, motion graphics, effects, and other elements to maintain a professional and commercial standard. The costs are determined by the video editors’ location, video length, editing complexity, number and angles of footage, etc.
How much do businesses pay for commercial or promotional video editing?
Businesses pay $200 to $5000 for editing per month, depending on project volume and complexity. Commercial videos are pricey as they include various advanced-level editing techniques to fulfill business marketing objectives.
How much should I budget for color grading and sound design?
You should budget a minimum of $70 for color grading and sound design. Both color grading and sound design are complicated types of work. The cost will be much higher if you need high-quality color grading and licensed music audio mixing, and sound FX.
Can I reduce my video editing cost by using templates or AI tools?
No, you can not completely reduce the cost of video editing by using AI tools. AI video editing software can reduce editing time and cost, but completely relying on AI risks lower quality, loss of creative control, increasing your costs, and wasting time. Use AI as your aid, not as an alternative to a professional-grade video editing solution.
