Your numbers
What a podcast editor should include in expenses
Typical costs include audio software, plugins, storage, reliable computer. Add your own and keep receipts for tax time.
Where unbilled time goes
Podcast Editors commonly lose billable hours to file transfers, revisions and show-notes. Count these when choosing your billable hours per week.
Pricing models
Common choices are per episode, by episode length, or monthly packages.
Tip: Price per episode with clear length limits and turnaround.
The math
Gross revenue = ($50,000 + $3,000) ÷ 0.72 = $73,611. Billable hours = (52 − 5) × 24 = 1,128. Minimum rate = $73,611 ÷ 1,128 = $65 per hour. See the methodology. Example inputs are illustrations, not market data.
General hourly rate calculator · Tax set-aside · Retainer pricing · All professions
Frequently asked questions
What should a podcast editor charge per hour?
It depends on your target income, costs and billable time. With $50,000 take-home, $3,000 expenses, a 28% tax set-aside, 5 weeks off and 24 billable hours a week, the minimum comes to about $65 per hour. These are example inputs, so enter your own.
How many billable hours does a podcast editor really have?
Many freelancers bill fewer hours than they work because of file transfers, revisions and show-notes. The example uses 24 billable hours a week; track your own time to find your number.
How should a podcast editor price work?
Common models are per episode, by episode length, or monthly packages.
Is this the rate I should quote?
No. It is the minimum that meets your targets. Add margin for demand, specialty and risk.