How much do podcast editors charge?
Every figure below comes from a named, dated, publicly accessible source: no "industry insiders say". The typical working rate is about $50 per hour, and the second table shows what that rate really pays once taxes enter.
What the published sources say
| Source | Year | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast Editors Mastermind industry survey | 2024 | Average $199 per hour-long episode |
| Rephonic, podcast editing cost guide | 2024 | Freelancers and studios $50-500 per episode; observed hourly $10-130+ |
Typical rate used below: $50/h. Survey average of $199 per hour-long episode at a typical ~4 hours of editing work.
What $50/hour actually pays
| Annual gross revenue | $57,500 |
| Self-employment tax | $8,124 |
| After federal taxes | $45,001 |
| Monthly take-home | $3,750 |
Computed with our tested engines at 25 billable hours per week, 46 working weeks (1,150 hours per year), federal taxes only, single filer, 2025 constants. Your hours and state will move these numbers: run your own in the calculators.
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