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BTR — Music Cost Index2026 edition195 US cities
Cost guide / Music Video / USAVerified October 2026

Music Video Cost USA 2026

By The BTR Editorial Team · Last verified · 11 min read · Methodology

The going rate across the US
$500–$4,500per video
Typical $2,000
Prices where you live

Pick your city

Every city has its own page: local rates by area, real job prices and a local FAQ.

Or browse all 195 cities ↓

↑ +3.0%

Music Video costs across the US are up around 3.0% over the past year, re-verified against 19+ sources in October 2026. New York is the priciest market (typical $2,800 per video), Worcester the cheapest ($1,600 per video).

Year on year

A music video in the USA costs $500–$4,500 in 2026 for one shoot day with a videographer-director, basic lighting, one location, the edit and a color grade, and most independent artists pay around $2,000. A half day runs $300–$2,700; a director with a DP and crew runs $2,500–$13,500 for one day, and two-day crew shoots run $4,500–$27,000.

Typical
$2,000
Range
$500–$4,500
Cities priced
195
Sources
19+
01 / The short answerFig. 01 — USA
Quick answer

$500–$4,500 for a one-day US music video with one videographer-director, edit and color — $2,000 typical. Budget $300–$2,700 for a half day and $2,500–$13,500 for a director with a crew. Pick your city ↓

  • US music video: $500–$4,500 for one shoot day with a videographer-director, edit and color, $2,000 typical
  • Half day $300–$2,700; director + DP + crew for one day $2,500–$13,500; two days with crew $4,500–$27,000
  • Videographers bill $50–$270/hr on set; VFX and animation run $300–$5,850 per finished minute
  • No shoot needed: lyric video $100–$1,500, visualizer loop $75–$900
  • Pick a city below for local rates across 195 US metros

Prices below come from videographer marketplaces, production-company rate pages, freelance-platform packages, film-crew day-rate guides and artist-supplied quotes across 195 US cities, re-verified in October 2026. Pick your city for local pricing.

A one-day music video with edit and color runs $500–$4,500 across the US, with $1,500–$2,800 the band most artists pay. Crew shoots cost three to six times as much because they add a director, a DP, lighting and more shoot days. Locations, drone shots, talent and extra revisions are add-ons.

Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 19+ American pricing sources · See methodology

02 / Prices by cityFig. 02 — 195 metros

Music Video cost by city

Typical music video ranges, re-verified October 2026 across 19+ sources. Nationally, prices moved +3.0% on last year. Largest cities first.

CityTypical rangeYear on year
New York, NY$750–$6,500 per video↑ +3.7%
Los Angeles, CA$700–$6,000 per video↑ +3.5%
Chicago, IL$600–$5,000 per video↑ +3.5%
Dallas, TX$500–$4,500 per video↑ +2.9%
Houston, TX$450–$4,000 per video↑ +2.7%
Washington, DC$600–$5,000 per video↑ +3.0%
Atlanta, GA$450–$4,500 per video↑ +3.0%
Philadelphia, PA$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.3%
Miami, FL$550–$5,000 per video↑ +3.0%
Phoenix, AZ$500–$4,500 per video↑ +2.7%
Boston, MA$600–$5,000 per video↑ +3.0%
San Francisco, CA$600–$5,000 per video↑ +3.0%
Riverside, CA$500–$4,000 per video↑ +3.1%
Detroit, MI$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.1%
Seattle, WA$600–$5,000 per video↑ +3.0%
Minneapolis, MN$500–$4,500 per video↑ +2.9%
San Diego, CA$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.3%
Tampa, FL$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.2%
Orange County, CA$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.3%
Denver, CO$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.1%
Oakland, CA$500–$4,500 per video↑ +2.9%
Charlotte, NC$500–$4,500 per video↑ +2.9%
Baltimore, MD$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.3%
St. Louis, MO$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.2%
Orlando, FL$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.1%
Brooklyn, NY$600–$5,000 per video↑ +3.2%
San Antonio, TX$500–$4,000 per video↑ +2.9%
Fort Worth, TX$500–$4,000 per video↑ +2.6%
Austin, TX$500–$4,500 per video↑ +2.7%
Portland, OR$500–$4,500 per video↑ +3.2%
Choose your city51 states

Each city page has local rates by area, real-world music video production costs and a city-specific FAQ. Prices shown are the low end of the typical range, per video.

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District of Columbia

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Wyoming

03 / National price listFig. 03 — MUSIC VIDEO · USA

Music Video prices, 2026

JobLowTypicalHigh
Single-shooter half day (4–5 hrs, edit + color)per video$300$1,300$2,700
Single-shooter full day — edit, color, 1 revisionper video$500$2,000$4,500
Director + DP + crew, one dayper video$2,500$6,000$13,500
Two-day shoot with crewper video$4,500$11,000$27,000
Location feeper day$150$400$1,500
Studio or stage rentalper day$300$800$2,500
Lighting packageper day$150$500$2,000
Drone add-onper day$250$600$1,600
Editing only (your footage)per video$150$800$2,000
Color grade onlyper video$150$400$1,350
VFX / animationper minute$300$1,500$5,850
Lyric videoper video$100$300$1,500
Visualizer loopper video$75$200$900
Vertical / social cut-downsper set of 3$100$300$900
Extra revision roundadd-on$75$150$450
4K / RAW delivery add-onadd-on$75$250$1,100
Rush delivery (under 7 days)add-on$100$400$1,100

Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 19+ American pricing sources · See methodology

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04 / Who to hireFig. 04 — PRODUCTION TYPE

Music Video Production Types Compared: Solo Shooter, Crew, Company and Animation

Who makes the video sets the price as much as the idea does. These are national prices per video, edit and color included unless the row says otherwise.

Production TypeCostBest for
Student / new videographer$300–$1,000A first video or a simple performance shoot where the budget matters most
Solo shooter-editor$500–$3,000One-location performance videos with edit and color for most independent artists
Videographer with small crew$2,500–$5,400Performance plus a simple story, better lighting, two locations
Director + DP + crew$2,500–$13,500Concept videos with a treatment, a lighting plan and a crew of three to six
Production company$8,000–$27,000+Multi-day narrative videos with casting, permits and a producer
Animation / VFX house$300–$5,850 per minuteAnimated videos, green screen and effects-heavy edits
Lyric-video specialist$100–$1,500Release-day lyric videos and visualizers built from the master
Live-show multicam team$800–$6,750Concerts and live sets filmed on three or more cameras

Most artists don't need the top of the market. For a performance video, a solo shooter-editor with good lights is enough; for a story with actors and several locations, pay for a director and crew — that's what you're buying above the one-day rate.

05 / Rates & packagesFig. 05 — USA

Music Video Prices by Shoot Size in the USA (2026)

Most videographers sell by the day. A one-day shoot with edit and color is $500–$4,500; a director with a crew is $2,500–$13,500.

Block or rateLowTypicalHigh
Half day, one shooter$300$1,300$2,700
Full day, one shooter (edit + color)$500$2,000$4,500
Director + DP + crew, one day$2,500$6,000$13,500
Two-day shoot with crew$4,500$11,000$27,000
Videographer, per hour on set$50$120$270
Overtime, each hour$75$180$400

Ask how the day is counted. Some shooters start the clock at load-in, others at the first shot — on a long day that difference can be an hour or two of overtime.

06 / Your optionsFig. 06 — compared

Hired Videographer vs DIY Phone Shoot vs Lyric Video: Which Should You Choose?

Three ways to put video behind a release. The right one depends on budget, the song and where the video will live.

FactorHired videographerDIY phone shootLyric / animated
Cost$500–$4,500 for one day$50–$500 for gear and apps$100–$1,500 lyric; $300–$5,850 per minute animated
TimeOne shoot day, then 2–4 weeks of editingA day to shoot, a few days to edit1–2 weeks, no shoot day
Picture qualityCinema camera, lighting, color gradeGood in daylight, weak at nightClean graphics; no live footage
You on cameraYesYesNo (unless animated)
Skill needed from youA plan and a shot listShooting, lighting and editingNone — send the master and lyrics
Best forThe main video for a singleTeasers, social content, behind the scenesRelease day, album tracks, small budgets

A hired videographer is the default for a main single: $2,000 buys a video that looks like a release. Use phone content for social, and a lyric video for every other track.

07 / Beyond the jobFig. 07 — extras

What a Music Video Costs Beyond the Videographer

The shoot is the first line, not the last. These are the extras most artists add.

ItemLowTypicalHigh
Location permitNone (private property)$200$900
Wardrobe / styling$100$300$1,000
Hair & makeup$150$400$1,200
Extras / talent (per person, per day)$25$150$500
Props / set$50$200$1,000
Distribution (YouTube ads, promo)$100$500$2,500

Hair and makeup plus wardrobe can add about $700 to a typical shoot. Ask your videographer who they work with — crews often have people they trust at fair rates.

08 / What moves the priceFig. 08 — USA

What affects music video costs

Crew size

One shooter is $500–$4,500 a day; a director, DP and crew is $2,500–$13,500.

Shoot days

A half day is $300–$2,700; two days with a crew are $4,500–$27,000.

Locations and space

Each paid location adds $150–$1,500 a day; rented stage space is $300–$2,500.

Your city

New York and Los Angeles sit well above the national typical; mid-size and smaller metros sit at or under it.

Post-production

The edit and one color grade are in the base price. VFX and animation run $300–$5,850 per finished minute.

Add-ons and delivery

Drone shots ($250–$1,600), extra revisions ($75–$450) and rush delivery ($100–$1,100) can add a third to the bill.

09 / How to pay lessFig. 09 — USA

How to save on music video

  1. Plan one location.Each paid location adds $150–$1,500 a day, plus time moving gear.
  2. Write a shot list first.Planning is free; hours on set are not.
  3. Book the cut-downs with the main video.Three vertical cuts on their own cost $100–$900.
  4. Keep the revisions to one round.Send all your notes at once. Every extra round is $75–$450.
  5. Skip the rush.Book four to six weeks before release. Rush delivery adds $100–$1,100.
  6. Use friends as extras.Paid extras cost $25–$500 per person a day.

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10 / By sizeFig. 10 — scale

Music Video Cost in the USA by Shoot Days and Crew

Quick answer

One shooter, half day: $300–$2,700. One shooter, full day: $500–$4,500. Director + DP + crew, one day: $2,500–$13,500. Two days with a crew: $4,500–$27,000.

Worked example: a one-day music video at $2,000, a paid location at $400, three vertical cut-downs at $300 and a lyric video at $300 comes to about $3,000. Drop the lyric video and shoot somewhere free and it's about $2,300.

Deliverables matter as much as days. One main video is the base price; each set of three vertical cuts adds $100–$900, and a visualizer loop adds $75–$900.

11 / Before you pay a depositFig. 11 — checklist

What a music video quote should include

A real music video quote answers all of these. If it answers fewer than six, ask before you pay a deposit.

  • Hours on set, start time and the overtime rate
  • Who shoots and who edits
  • Camera, lighting and any drone or extra gear included
  • Number of locations and who pays for them
  • The edit, color grade and how many revision rounds
  • Delivery date and formats — HD, 4K, vertical cuts
  • Who handles permits, and who pays
  • That you own the finished video
  • Deposit, balance due date and the cancellation or weather-day terms
12 / QuestionsFig. 12 — USA

Music Video cost: FAQ

How much does a music video cost in the USA?

$500–$4,500 for a one-day shoot with one videographer-director, basic lighting, one location, edit and color in 2026, and $2,000 is typical. A director with a crew costs $2,500–$13,500.

How much is a low-budget music video?

$300–$1,300 for a half day at one location with edit and color. Film students and newer shooters sit at the bottom of that range; a lyric video with no shoot day is $100–$1,500.

How much does a videographer charge per hour?

About $50–$270/hr on set, though most quote a day or a package with the edit included.

How much is a lyric video?

$100–$1,500. Freelance lyric videos sit at the bottom; fully animated typography from a specialist sits at the top.

How much does a music video cost per minute?

Shot videos are priced by the day, not the minute. Animation and VFX are priced per finished minute: $300–$5,850.

How much does a music video with a full crew cost?

$2,500–$13,500 for one day with a director, DP and small crew; $4,500–$27,000 for two days.

How much do drone shots add?

$250–$1,600 a day for a licensed operator.

Do I need a permit to film a music video?

Not on private property with permission. On public streets with a crew, often yes — budget $200–$900 and check with the city film office.

Who owns a music video I pay for?

You should. Get it in writing that you own the finished video. Usage fees only apply when a brand pays to run it as an ad.

What's the average music video price in 2026?

Across the 19 sources we checked, a typical one-day shoot with edit and color is $2,000 and a typical one-day crew shoot is $6,000, up an estimated 3.0% on 2025.

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