How to hire a video editor (and pay for fewer hours)
To hire a video editor, define the job in a one-page brief (goal, length, style references, deliverables, deadline), shortlist 3–5 editors whose portfolios include the same kind of video, run a small paid test, then agree on revisions, file delivery and ownership in writing. Expect roughly $20–40 an hour for beginners, $45–75 for experienced freelancers and $80–150+ for specialists. The fastest way to lower the bill is to hand over a rough cut instead of raw footage. Here's each step in detail.
1. Write the brief first
Editors quote from the brief, so a vague one gets you a vague quote. Include:
- Goal and audience: "A 90-second YouTube video for people curious about astronaut training."
- Length and format: 16:9 or 9:16, target length, frame rate.
- Footage: how much, what kind, where it lives. "19 minutes of interviews, one 2.4 GB file."
- Must-keep moments: timestamps you love.
- Style references: two or three videos to match, with what you like about each.
- Deliverables: MP4 specs, captions (burned in, SRT or both), thumbnail, Shorts, project file.
- Deadline and revision rounds.
2. Where to find video editors
| Where | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Upwork | One-off and ongoing work; proposals from many editors | Clients pay a 5% marketplace fee (3% by ACH) plus a small contract fee |
| Fiverr | Fixed-price packages | 5.5% buyer fee, plus a flat fee on small orders |
| Contra, LinkedIn, referrals | Freelancers with strong portfolios | Higher rates; vet carefully |
| YouTube editor communities and job boards | Long-form YouTube editors | Most want a monthly retainer |
| Monthly editing services (compared) | A steady number of videos | Templates, limited revisions on cheap plans |
| Agencies | Ads, brand films | Price |
3. What editors charge
| Who | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Beginner freelancer | $20–40 an hour |
| Mid-level freelancer | $45–75 an hour |
| Specialist | $80–150+ an hour |
| Long-form YouTube video | $200–600 a video |
| Monthly editing service | about $500–1,500 a month for 4–12 videos |
4. Judge the portfolio, not the profile
- Same kind of video. A great wedding editor isn't automatically a great YouTube editor.
- Pacing. Is the first 10 seconds gripping? Are there dead spots?
- Audio. Clean levels, no music drowning out voices.
- Captions and graphics, if you need them.
- Before/after, if they have it: what they started from matters.
5. Run a small paid test
Give the top two or three candidates the same 2–3 minutes of footage and a short brief. Pay for it. It tells you more about speed, taste and communication than any interview.
6. Put these in the agreement
- Revisions: how many rounds, and what counts as a revision versus new work.
- Turnaround for the first cut and each revision.
- Files: final MP4 specs, and whether you get the project file and exported assets.
- Ownership: you own the finished video; licensed music and stock should be in your name or cleared for your use.
- Payment: milestones (for example 50% upfront, 50% on delivery), or hourly with a cap.
Cut the hours you pay for
Most of an editor's bill is watching footage and assembling a first cut. Do that part with Novacut and hand over the result:
19 minutes of interviews became an 87-second YouTube video. Sped up. Phone-size version.
- Upload the footage and use your brief as the prompt.
- Review the first cut and ask for changes until the story is right.
- Export the timeline to Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut and send it to your editor for color, sound and polish. How the export works →
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a video editor?
Typically $20–40 an hour for beginners, $45–75 for experienced freelancers and $80–150+ for specialists. Per video, long-form YouTube edits often run $200–600. Platform fees add a few percent.
Should I hire hourly or per project?
Per project for well-defined videos (you know the cost upfront); hourly with a cap when the scope is uncertain.
How do I know if an editor is good?
Look for finished videos like yours, check pacing and audio, and run a small paid test. Fast, clear communication matters as much as skill.
Do I need to give the editor my raw footage?
Yes, or a rough cut plus the footage it uses. Share it through a cloud folder with original file names, and keep a backup.
Sources: rate ranges from GigRadar, goLance and Ad Snipper; monthly plans via SaaSworthy and ManyPixels; platform fees from Flexiple's Upwork vs Fiverr comparison (citing Upwork's 10-K and Fiverr's payment terms). Checked October 2026; check current quotes and fees.
Demo footage: NASA interviews with astronaut Jeanette Epps (public domain). NASA does not endorse Novacut.