1

Contract Copy Editing Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Provide senior-level copy editing and quality control for all public affairs products while ... Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the ...

Responsibilities include assigning and editing storiesand newsletters, working closely with ... This is a six-month contract position based in Virginia, New York or California. Schedule: Monday ...

Editor, IS-1082-09

Washington, DC · On-site

$70K - $82K/yr

... grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund ... DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Reviewing, proof-reading, and/or substantively editing all written ...

Technical Editor

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$62K - $141K/yr

... edit copy. You Have: * 3+ years of experience with editing and written document production * 3+ ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Copy Editing information

See Washington salary details

$12

$32

$64

How much do contract copy editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract copy editing in Washington is $32.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.47 and $36.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Copy Editing vs Contract Proofreading?

AspectContract Copy EditingContract Proofreading
Primary FocusImproving clarity, style, and consistency of the textCorrecting grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors
Skills & CredentialsEditing skills, strong language knowledge, possibly editing certificationsAttention to detail, strong grammar and spelling skills
Work EnvironmentCollaborative editing process, often with writers or editorsFinal review stage, often independent
Industry UsageUsed across publishing, marketing, legal, and corporate sectorsPrimarily in publishing, legal, and corporate documents

Contract copy editing involves refining the content for clarity, style, and consistency, often requiring editing credentials. Proofreading focuses on catching grammatical and typographical errors. Both roles are essential in the editing process but serve different purposes in ensuring high-quality documents.

What is contract copy editing?

Contract copy editing is a form of freelance or temporary work where an editor is hired on a contract basis to review and revise written materials for clarity, grammar, style, and accuracy. Unlike full-time in-house editors, contract copy editors typically work for multiple clients and projects, providing their services as needed. Their responsibilities often include correcting spelling and grammatical errors, checking for consistency, and ensuring the text meets the client's standards and guidelines. This role can be performed remotely or on-site, depending on the agreement with the client. Contract copy editors are valued for their flexibility, expertise, and the ability to handle various types of content across industries.

What are some common challenges faced by contract copy editors, and how can they be managed effectively?

Contract copy editors often juggle multiple projects with varying deadlines, which can make time management challenging. Additionally, they may need to quickly adapt to different style guides and client expectations across diverse industries. To manage these challenges, it’s important to establish clear communication with clients, use organizational tools to track project timelines, and stay updated on major style guides like AP, Chicago, or MLA. Building a network with other editors can also provide support and resources for handling complex editing queries.

What key skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a contract copy editor?

To thrive as a Contract Copy Editor, you need a strong command of grammar, style, and language conventions, typically supported by a degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with editing tools such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and style guides like AP or Chicago Manual of Style is essential. Attention to detail, time management, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure that edited content is accurate, clear, and delivered on deadline, maintaining the quality and credibility of published materials.
What are the most commonly searched types of Copy Editing jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Copy Editing jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Contract Copy Editing jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Contract Copy Editing job openings:
Infographic showing various Contract Copy Editing job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,519 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Communications & Editorial Lead, ILAB Research Support Services (proposal)

Tetra Tech, Inc.

Arlington, VA • On-site

$32K - $33K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Tetra Tech rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

395th of 441 rated engineering


Job description

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.
Proposal Summary
MSI is pursuing a five-year contract to provide research and support services to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). DOL/ILAB is commissioning research support services to produce high-quality, timely Congressional and Executive Order reports on forced labor, child labor, and other labor policy priorities. Our team will deliver rigorous data analysis, policy research, technical editing, and communications support, while also strengthening ILAB's capacity through training, stakeholder engagement, and specialized supply chain and trade-related studies.
**Please note: Only U.S. citizens (or persons otherwise eligible to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance through a National Agency Check with Inquiries) are eligible for this position**
Position Summary
MSI requires a Communications and Editorial Lead to oversee all writing, editing, communications planning, and content production for Congressional and Executive Order reports on forced labor, child labor, and related labor issues. This role will ensure that ILAB's research findings and policy messages are communicated clearly, accurately, and in alignment with DOL branding and scientific integrity standards. The Communications and Editorial Lead will manage the end-to-end editorial workflow and communications strategy across all contract deliverables. Reporting to the Team Leader and liaising directly with ILAB communications specialists, this person will ensure consistency, quality, accuracy, and adherence to editorial and branding standards at every stage of report and outreach material production.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and maintain an editorial style guide consistent with DOL's branding and U.S. Government report conventions
• Oversee all phases of manuscript development for country profiles and thematic reports: technical edits, fact-checks, management reviews, copy-editing, and final proofing for PDF, web, and mobile formats
• Coordinate with data and research teams to integrate accurate statistics, tables, and graphics, ensuring proper citation and narrative clarity
• Draft and implement a Communications Plan covering newsletters, blogs, press releases, social media posts, and web updates to maximize visibility of ILAB findings
• Work with ILAB communications specialists to align messaging with policy priorities and trade enforcement initiatives
• Schedule and manage dissemination timelines in close coordination with ILAB's public affairs calendar
• Lead the development of policy briefs, summary fact sheets, talking points, and stakeholder memos
• Oversee the collection, selection, and editing of human-interest stories, ensuring high-quality text, photos, and video content that adhere to ethical guidelines and survivor consent protocols
• Manage local photographers, videographers, and translators as needed to support multilingual content
• Upload, organize, and maintain all final deliverables, source files, and visual assets on ILAB's SharePoint and public websites
• Ensure metadata, file naming conventions, and version control practices meet ILAB requirements
• Serve as primary editorial liaison to ILAB's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and communications team; solicit feedback and incorporate revisions promptly
• Convene and facilitate editorial working groups to review draft materials, resolve issues, and validate messaging
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in communications, journalism, public policy, international affairs, or related field
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in high-stakes editorial roles, preferably on U.S. Government or multilateral agency reports
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills; mastery of AP Style and U.S. Government editorial conventions
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex editorial workflows and cross-functional teams
• Experience developing and executing communications strategies across traditional and digital channels
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, content-management systems, and basic graphic-editing tools
• Strong interpersonal and project-management skills; ability to meet tight deadlines and handle competing priorities
MSI Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.
Reasonable Accommodations:
If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech's Disability Assistance Page .Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

What Tetra Tech employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom