Median / Average Pay ($)
- $36.07 / hour (BLS.gov)
- $25.05 / hour (Zippia.com)
- $30.32 / hour (ZipRecruiter.com)
- $31.08 / hour (Indeed.com)
Services Provided
- Developmental – Focusing on improving the structure and content of written material by examining attributes such as the plot and pacing, or in the case of nonfiction, clarity; this does not include correcting grammar and is sometimes called “big picture” editing.
- Structural – Ensuring the logical flow of a written work’s sections (e.g., chapters) to maintain or improve its readability; often required in academia and other nonfiction projects.
- Line – Enhancing tone, clarity, and the general flow of a writing’s sentences as well as the whole piece (for example, removing redundancies).
- Sustantive – Addressing written material’s developmental and line editing requirements to enhance clarity, structure, and engagement.
- Copy – Reviewing written pieces while comparing them to standard style guide requirements (e.g., MLA) to ensure they comply with the current criteria such as correct citations.
- Proofreading – Identifying and correcting formatting inconsistencies, typos, and punctuation errors in order to finalize written material before its formal presentation.
- Fact-Checking – Confirming or rectifying the facts, references, and statistics (often) presented by a news source or other nonfiction works such as research papers or books.
- SEO – Modifying online content, such as a blog, to meet SEO (search engine optimization) readability standards, improving a site’s metadata and visibility.