Podcast editing has one of the clearest pricing structures in freelance creative work: you know roughly how long an episode takes to edit once you have worked with a show. This calculator helps you translate that time into a per-episode or monthly rate that actually covers your costs.
// frequently asked questions
Should I charge per episode or by monthly retainer?
Per-episode pricing is more transparent for clients and easier to scope accurately. Monthly retainers work well for shows with a consistent cadence (weekly or bi-weekly) where you can predict your monthly workload. The risk with retainers is episode length variation: a show that sometimes runs 30 minutes and sometimes runs 90 minutes makes flat monthly pricing hard to sustain. If you use retainers, cap the included episode length or number of episodes explicitly.
How do I price show notes and transcripts?
Show notes and transcripts are separate deliverables and should be priced separately, not bundled into the edit fee. Show notes typically take 30-60 minutes per episode. Transcripts depend on whether you are editing an AI transcript or producing one from scratch. Quote both as add-ons with clear per-episode pricing. Clients who want the full package will add them; clients who do not will not resent paying for them.
How do I price a podcast launch package?
A launch package typically covers the first three to five episodes plus setup work: audio settings consultation, intro and outro production, and establishing the editorial workflow. Price it as a fixed project, not per episode, because the setup work is front-loaded and does not recur. Include a clear transition to ongoing per-episode pricing after the launch package is complete.
What billable percentage should I plan for as a podcast editor?
Podcast editors typically bill 65-75% of working hours because the work is highly repeatable once you know a show. Client communication, file management, and occasional troubleshooting take the rest. Podcast editing is one of the more predictable freelance disciplines for time estimation, which makes it well-suited to per-episode or retainer pricing rather than hourly.
// how does podcast editor pricing compare to video editor?
Podcast editing is generally lower-rated than
video editing because the output is audio-only and the market has more supply. However, podcast editors who add full production value (custom music, sound design, structured segments) close the gap considerably. If you edit both video and podcast content, price each by its own market rate rather than applying a single hourly rate across both.