Freelance Video Editor Rates in the UK (2026 Guide)

Rates vary significantly based on experience, specialisation, and client type. Here's the current UK landscape.

Junior editors (0-2 years experience):
- Hourly: £15-£25
- Day rate: £120-£200
- Per video (basic YouTube edit): £50-£120
- Per short-form video (Reel/TikTok): £20-£50

Mid-level editors (2-5 years experience):
- Hourly: £25-£45
- Day rate: £200-£360
- Per video (YouTube edit with graphics): £120-£300
- Per short-form video: £40-£100

Senior editors (5+ years, specialised):
- Hourly: £45-£80
- Day rate: £360-£640
- Per video (commercial quality): £300-£800
- Per short-form video (with motion graphics): £80-£200

Specialist rates:
- Motion graphics/animation: £40-£100/hour
- Colour grading: £300-£600/day
- Documentary editing: £350-£600/day
- Corporate video editing: £250-£500/day

London rates are typically 15-25% higher than the rest of the UK. Remote editors working for London-based clients can often negotiate London-adjacent rates.

These rates reflect the shift toward creator economy work. Five years ago, most freelance editors worked on corporate videos and broadcast projects. Today, a growing proportion of UK editing work comes from YouTubers, businesses producing social content, and agencies creating ad creative.

How you price your work affects both your income and the type of clients you attract.

Hourly vs project-based: Hourly rates feel safe but cap your earnings. As you get faster (and you will), your hourly rate effectively decreases. Project-based pricing rewards efficiency. Most experienced UK editors price per project or per video, using their hourly rate as a private calculation to ensure profitability.

The retainer model: This is the holy grail for freelance editors. A creator or business pays a fixed monthly fee for a set number of videos. Example: £1,200/month for 8 YouTube edits. The client gets predictability, you get guaranteed income. Most successful UK freelance editors have 2-4 retainer clients forming their income base.

Pricing for creators vs corporate: Creator clients (YouTubers, influencers) typically pay less per video but offer higher volume and long-term relationships. Corporate clients pay more per project but work is sporadic. A balanced client mix provides both stability and profitability.

Value-based pricing: If you're editing for a YouTuber earning £5,000/month from their channel, your editing directly enables that income. Charging £500/month for 8 edits is a bargain from their perspective. Frame your pricing around the value you create, not just the time you spend.

Rush fees and revisions: Always specify revision limits (2 rounds is standard) and charge 25-50% extra for rush jobs (under 48 hours turnaround). These boundaries protect your time and train clients to plan ahead.

The UK market has abundant demand for editors. Here's where to find it.

Creator partnerships: This is the fastest-growing segment. UK YouTubers, TikTok creators, and podcasters need consistent editing help. Find creators in your preferred niche, study their content, and pitch with a sample edit of their actual video. This demonstrates your skills directly.

Freelance platforms: PeoplePerHour (UK-based) is the most relevant local platform. Fiverr and Upwork have UK clients too. The disadvantage is price competition, but building a strong profile with UK-focused keywords helps. Focus on getting 5-star reviews to build credibility.

Agency work: UK marketing agencies (social media agencies, content agencies, production houses) regularly subcontract editing work. Rates are often better than direct-to-creator, though you may have less creative freedom. Check job boards like WorkInStartups, Creativepool, and The Dots.

LinkedIn: UK businesses increasingly post freelance video editing requirements on LinkedIn. Optimise your profile for 'freelance video editor UK' and related terms. Engage with content from potential clients — it puts you on their radar.

AI-assisted editing: Tools like FluxNote, Descript, and CapCut Pro can dramatically increase your editing speed. UK editors who embrace AI tools can take on more projects or charge the same rate while spending less time, effectively raising their hourly earnings. This isn't replacing editors — it's making good editors more productive.