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Content Editor

Roanoke, VA · Remote

$52K - $58K/yr

Reporting to the Senior Director, Operations & Organizational Strategy the Content Editor is ... Familiarity with academic or professional reference materials (e.g., journal articles, books ...

Senior Writer/Editor About the role Do you love to address structural challenges in writing and ... You might also have experience in * an academic or technical research setting * documenting ...

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Academic Editor information

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How much do academic editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for academic editor in the United States is $31.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $39.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Academic Editor position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Academic Editor, you need expertise in academic writing, subject matter familiarity, meticulous attention to detail, and often an advanced degree relevant to the field. Familiarity with style guides like APA, MLA, or Chicago, as well as reference management tools and editorial workflow systems, is typically required. Strong communication, time management, and adaptability are key soft skills that enhance performance in this role. These competencies enable editors to ensure manuscripts meet rigorous scholarly standards while supporting authors and adhering to deadlines.

How much do academic editors make?

Academic editors typically earn between $30,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and the complexity of the subjects they edit. Freelance editors may charge per hour or per project, with rates ranging from $25 to $75 per hour. Many academic editors work remotely and require strong editing skills and familiarity with style guides like APA or Chicago Manual of Style.

Are editors still in demand?

Academic editors are still in demand due to ongoing needs for quality assurance in research, publishing, and education. They often work freelance or for publishing companies, requiring strong language skills and familiarity with editing tools; demand remains steady across various disciplines.

Do you need a PhD to be a journal editor?

Academic editors at scholarly journals typically hold a PhD or equivalent advanced degree in their field, along with strong editing and subject matter expertise. While a PhD is common, some editors with extensive experience and a master's degree may also qualify, depending on the journal's requirements and the subject area. Professional editing skills and familiarity with publishing standards are also important for the role.

What does an Academic Editor do?

An Academic Editor reviews and improves scholarly manuscripts for clarity, accuracy, and adherence to publication standards. They check for proper grammar, structure, and citation accuracy, often working with authors to ensure the quality of academic content before publication.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Academic Editor?

An Academic Editor’s daily tasks typically involve reviewing and editing manuscripts for clarity, grammar, and adherence to specific style guidelines, while ensuring accurate citation and proper structure. Editors also provide constructive feedback to authors to improve the quality and integrity of academic content. Collaboration with researchers, peer reviewers, and sometimes production teams is common, as is managing multiple projects with tight deadlines. If the role is within a publishing house or journal, there may also be responsibilities related to coordinating the peer review process. This variety makes the job dynamic, intellectually stimulating, and crucial for maintaining publication standards.

What does an Academic Editor do?

An Academic Editor reviews, edits, and refines scholarly manuscripts to improve clarity, coherence, and adherence to publication standards. They ensure that research papers, journal articles, and academic books meet high-quality language and formatting requirements. Academic Editors may also provide constructive feedback to authors, verify citations, and ensure compliance with style guides such as APA or MLA. Their role helps researchers effectively communicate their findings and increases the chances of publication in academic journals.

More about Academic Editor jobs
What cities are hiring for Academic Editor jobs? Cities with the most Academic Editor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Academic Editor jobs? The most popular types of Academic Editor jobs are:
What states have the most Academic Editor jobs? States with the most job openings for Academic Editor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Academic Editor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 56% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 7% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,728 per year, or $31.6 per hour.
Senior Managing Editor, Journals

Senior Managing Editor, Journals

American Cancer Society

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


American Cancer Society rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

140th of 710 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

At the American Cancer Society, we'reworking to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.Our employees and 1.3 million volunteersare raising the bar every single day. We are a culture comprised of diverse backgrounds and experience, to better serve our communities.
The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

The Senior Managing Editor will manage the peer review and editorial operations for a high-volume medical journal published by the American Cancer Society. Duties will include managing peer review, production, supplements, special projects, Editors, and the Editorial Board, including overseeing the relationship with a contracted editorial services provider. The Senior Managing Editor will partner with the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) to develop strategies and objectives to ensure the journal's growth and development in a competitive marketplace and will ensure all scholarly publishing guidelines are followed. The Senior Managing Editor is a supervisory position that will oversee one or more lower-level assistant manager editors for an identified journal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Manages peer review for the journal to achieve optimal efficiency and ensure compliance with scholarly publishing guidelines. Manages relationship with contracted editorial services provider and oversees work of their staff, including monitoring time per task, evaluating monthly hours, and setting annual budget. Facilitates the use of digital tools for peer review and production. Provides data-intensive analysis of peer review, editor turnarounds, production, and bibliometrics to make metric-driven decisions that will support Editor and ACS goals for content. Supervises an Assistant Managing Editor in day-to-day activities related to peer review, solicitation, and content promotion. (30%)
  • Manages editorial functions for the journal. Serves as the representative for the journal during monthly calls with the publisher regarding production, special articles, supplements, and ACS-authored content such as ACS statistics articles. Manages the EIC, Section Editors, and Editorial Board -responsibilities include refreshing members, training Section Editors, analyzing workloads, monitoring performance, and fostering diversity of the board. Works with the Editors, Senior Director, and Managing Editors to implement editorial policies that follow scholarly publishing guidelines, including, but not limited to, research misconduct and ethical issues that may arise. Works with the Publisher to investigate and resolve cases of author and reviewer misconduct. Plans, executes, and leads an annual Section Editor meeting with around 30 external attendees, as well as two Editorial Board meetings with over 100 external attendees. Compiles data analysis into reports for presentation and discussion as needed. Directs the Assistant Managing Editor in the implementation of all journal editorial priorities and goals and ensures the support of the Editors on a day-to-day basis. (30%)
  • Oversees journal social media, promotion, and marketing efforts, including selecting articles for publicity, curating video content, and developing topics for the podcast, working strategically with the Research Engagement Manager for the Journals, the Assistant Managing Editor, and the publisher's marketing team to increase visibility and grow usage and submissions. (20%)
  • Provides operational management and budgetary support. Manages, trains, and develops an Assistant Managing Editor. Oversees revenue-generating sponsored supplements and special issues. Reviews competing journals to stay familiar with the field, including new trends or issues that may affect the processes of our journals. Participates in sales calls with the publisher. (20%)

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor's Degree
  • Years of experience: 5 years in a scientific or academic publishing environment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

  • 5 years peer review management experience, working with physicians/scientists.
  • 4 years of people leader experience.
  • Self-starter with excellent judgement, problem-solving skills, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
  • Excellent writing and communication skills including writing executive summaries.
  • Must be customer-oriented and tactful.
  • Ability to work in a team environment and present reports and data to various audiences.
  • Advanced analytic and computer skills including compiling complex reports and using advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
  • Highly organized, with a keen understanding of strict deadlines and deliverables. Willingness to be flexible with schedule (i.e. occasional international calls with different time zones, etc.).

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to represent ACS at conferences and other events that are attended by oncologists, oncology specialists, cytopathologists/pathologists, and other health professional audiences such as primary care. May attend professional publishing conferences; moderate or present at sessions; and participate in trainings, committees, and other activities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • N/A

The salary range is $95,000 - $100,000. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.


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