“Let’s be honest, quoting your rate is more terrifying than your hard drive failing during export.”
Have you ever wondered exactly how much you could pocket as a freelance video editor? Well pull up a chair, grab your favourite brew, and let me introduce you to Alex the Editor. Alex is our fictional guide, think of them as your wise (but always slightly caffeinated) mentor on the winding road of freelance rates. Over the next 2,000 words, we’ll dive into the numbers, myths, challenges, and top tips for setting your day rate and hourly rate, especially if you’re based here in Blighty, but with a cheeky nod to what goes on across the pond.
What’s a ‘Day Rate’?
A flat fee for a full day’s work, usually 8–10 hours. It’s common in post-production, especially for freelancers working remotely or on location.
Meet Alex the Editor
Alex started out fresh from college, armed with Premiere Pro tutorials and a dream. They were charging a modest £150 a day. Fast forward a few years, and Alex is commanding £400 a day mid‑career. Now? As a seasoned pro, they can easily invoice £700 a day. Along the way, they’ve cut wedding reels, YouTube vlogs, corporate promos, and even broadcast packages for the BBC. Alex will share anecdotes. Some triumphant, some a bit gritty to keep things real and entertaining.
Why Rates Matter
Setting the right rate is not just about valuing your time. It’s about covering your costs, camera kit, hard drives, Adobe licences, rent, that fancy ergonomic chair, and also leaving something in the bank for taxes, holidays, and, yes, unexpected dry spells. Charge too little and you’ll burn out. Charge too much (without justification) and you might struggle to win work. Our mission? Find that sweet spot.
Sample Rate Card
Here’s a simple bullet‑list rate card to get the numbers straight. These figures come from the BECTU rate cards for the UK and the AICP Commercial Production Rate Guide for the US.
Beginner (0–2 years’ experience)
Day rate: £150–£250
Hourly rate: £20–£40
Mid‑Level (3–7 years’ experience)
Day rate: £300–£500
Hourly rate: £50–£80
Pro (8+ years’ experience)
Day rate: £600+
Hourly rate: £100+
US comparison
Non‑Union: $300–$500/day
Union: $500–$700+/day
That’s the baseline. Now let’s see how Alex navigates these numbers.
Alex’s Rate Journey
Year One: £150 a Day
Fresh out of the uni bubble, Alex took whatever they could get. They edited a wedding video for a mate’s cousin, knocked out a quick YouTube vlog, and found themselves scrimping to cover lunch. But £150 a day felt like a win. Lesson learned: undercharging can feel safe, but it doesn’t pay the bills.
Year Three: £400 a Day
By this point, Alex had polished their showreel. They pitched to a small corporate client who paid £400 a day for an explainer video. Alex realised that as long as the value you deliver outweighs the rate, you can (and should) ask for more. From here on in, £400 became their go‑to mid‑career day rate.
Year Eight: £700 a Day
Now Alex is a bona fide veteran. Broadcast clients ring them up straightaway. They know Alex delivers quality and can turn around projects without needing hand‑holding. At this level, £700 a day or more is the norm. They’re making bank, but with great rates come great responsibility, keeping skills sharp, updating kit, and managing client expectations.
Regional Variation
London vs the Rest of the UK
In London, living costs push day rates toward the higher end of the BECTU range. Expect to pay £350–£550 for mid‑level talent, compared to £300–£450 down in Manchester or Edinburgh.US Coastal vs City Markets
In New York or Los Angeles, non‑union editors may charge $400–$600 a day. Inland or smaller markets might hover around $300–$400. Union rates (often under the IATSE umbrella) start at about $500 and climb north of $700.
Factoring in Expenses
Remember all that expensive kit? Your rate isn’t pure profit. Here’s what you need to cover:
Equipment – Cameras, lenses, mics, lights.
Software Licences – Adobe Creative Cloud, DaVinci Resolve Studio, plugins.
Office Overheads – Rent, electricity, internet.
Insurance – Kit insurance, public liability.
Savings – Holiday pay, pension, rainy‑day fund.
Charge for every hour you’re booked, not just editing time. That includes prep, meetings, revisions, even setting up and tearing down gear. If a client wants you for eight hours, your day rate must cover more than eight hours of editing.
Sidebar: Top Three Essentials for Setting Your Rate
Know Your Costs – Calculate monthly outgoings and divide by your billable days.
Research the Market – Use BECTU and AICP rate guides to see where you fit.
Value Your Expertise – As you gain experience, adjust rates to match your growing skill set.
Challenges & Myths
Let’s bust a few myths that trip up new freelancers.
Myth 1: “Getting Paid in Exposure”
We’ve all seen that meme: “Exposure doesn’t pay the bills.” And it really doesn’t. Exposure might build your network, but you still need cash to keep your lights on. If a client offers “exposure” instead of money, politely decline or negotiate a real rate.
Myth 2: “Clients Won’t Negotiate”
Believe it or not, most clients expect to haggle. They’ll start low. You counter, and you’ll often meet in the middle. Negotiation is not impolite; it’s part of the process. Treat it like a skill you can learn and practice.
Myth 3: “More Expensive Equals Better Work”
High rates don’t guarantee top‑notch quality. Some seasoned pros might rest on their laurels. Conversely, eager newcomers can bring fresh ideas at competitive prices. Look at past work and references as well as rates.
Challenge: Dry Spells Between Gigs
Nobody books you every single day. Alex once went six weeks with zero projects. They used that time to update their showreel, learn new software features, and network. Treat slow periods as opportunities, not failures.
Quick FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, real figures, honest stories, and a friendly nudge from Alex the Editor. Freelance video editing can be a rollercoaster, but armed with the right day rate, a clear understanding of your expenses, and the confidence to debunk those pesky myths, you’re set to thrive. Remember, charging what you’re worth isn’t just good business; it’s a key step toward a sustainable, enjoyable career. Go forth, set those rates, and never accept exposure as payment alone. You’ve got this!
For mor imformaion loook at
“How to Negotiate Your Video Editing Rate”
“What to Include in Your Freelance Video Editor Contract”
“Top Software Tools for Freelance Editors in the UK”
