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Copy Editor Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

The Elizabeth Hospice

Editor

Deerfield, IL · On-site

Actively participates in the meetings by providing committees professional opinions on test material editing. f) Assists Managers, Test Development with preparation of final test copy of written and ...

Life Time

Senior Editor-Fitness

Highland Park, IL · On-site

$107K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Editor's primary responsibilities consists of researching, planning ... Reviews, edits, and copy-fits articles in Word and InDesign and reviews PDFs of completed layouts

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsCopy Editor JobsCopy Editor Jobs in Illinois

Copy Editor information

See Illinois salary details

$12

$27

$45

How much do copy editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for copy editor in Illinois is $27.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.44 and $30.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a copy editor?

As a copy editor, your responsibilities and duties include reviewing written material, called copy, before it is put into print or posted online. You examine the material for grammar and spelling mistakes and structural errors. You also ensure that the tone, tense, and style meet the guidelines set out by the publisher. If you work in journalism for the copy desk of a news organization, you not only proofread but also fact check and make sure there is no slanderous content. You also check headlines to ensure they are attention grabbing and grammatically correct.

What does a copy editor do?

A copy editor is responsible for reviewing and correcting written material to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency. They check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style errors, and may also verify facts and improve the flow of the text. Copy editors work with writers and other editors to polish content before publication, whether it's for books, magazines, websites, or other media. Their goal is to enhance the readability and professionalism of the final product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a copy editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Copy Editor, you need a strong command of grammar, punctuation, and style, often backed by a degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with editing software such as Adobe InCopy, Microsoft Word's track changes, and style guides like AP or Chicago Manual of Style is typically required. Attention to detail, time management, and strong communication skills help Copy Editors excel in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring error-free, clear, and consistent content that meets publication standards and deadlines.

How do copy editors typically collaborate with writers and other editorial team members during the editing process?

Copy editors work closely with writers to clarify meaning, improve readability, and ensure consistency in style and tone. They often communicate suggested changes and questions through tracked edits or comments, fostering open dialogue to refine the content. Collaboration with other editorial team members, such as fact-checkers or managing editors, is also common to ensure accuracy and adherence to publication standards. Regular meetings and digital collaboration tools help maintain workflow efficiency and resolve any editorial concerns promptly.

What is the difference between Copy Editor vs Proofreader?

AspectCopy EditorProofreader
Primary FocusRevises content for clarity, style, and consistencyChecks for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors
Work StageDuring the editing process before final publicationAfter editing, just before publishing
Skills & CredentialsEditing skills, strong language knowledge, often a degree in English or related fieldAttention to detail, strong grammar skills, often a background in language or journalism
Work EnvironmentPublishing houses, media companies, freelancePublishing, printing, online media, freelance

While both Copy Editors and Proofreaders work to improve written content, Copy Editors focus on refining style, structure, and clarity during the editing process. Proofreaders primarily ensure the final text is free of grammatical and typographical errors before publication. Understanding these roles helps in selecting the right professional for your publishing needs.

Are copy editors still in demand?

Copy editors remain in demand across publishing, media, and corporate sectors due to the ongoing need for clear, accurate content. Strong editing skills, familiarity with style guides, and proficiency with editing tools like Microsoft Word or Adobe InCopy enhance job prospects in this field.

How much does a copy editor make?

The average salary for a copy editor in the United States ranges from $40,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions typically start around $35,000, while experienced editors or those working in specialized fields can earn over $70,000. Many copy editors also work freelance or remotely, which can affect income levels.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Copy Editor jobs in Illinois?

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For Copy Editor jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Copy Editor jobs in Illinois are:

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Cities in Illinois with the most Copy Editor job openings:

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For Copy Editor jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Copy Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Copy Editor job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,956 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

What is a City Editor

Practical Adult Insights

Chicago, IL • On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Manage a team of city reporters, assign stories, and review their work.

  • Conceive story ideas based on local happenings and decide which to cover.

  • Edit first drafts of stories, ensure clarity, and prepare articles for publication.

Job description

Responsibilities

A city editor oversees the production of a newspaper’s local news section. Sometimes also known as a metro editor, her primary duties include managing a team of city reporters, conceiving and assigning stories, and editing first drafts of assigned stories. In some cases, she may also write headlines and configure her section’s layout. She generally works under the supervision of a managing editor and may liaise with staff from other departments to secure artwork or discuss the overall content of the paper.

The city editor acts as team leader to a group of city reporters. She must maintain an up-to-the-minute knowledge of all local happenings and decide which of these should receive coverage in her section. Next, she converts these happenings into well-defined story ideas, which she then assigns to her reporters.

As her reporters complete first drafts of their stories, the city editor must review their work, ensuring that each article is clearly written and does not leave the reader with unanswered questions. Poorly written stories may be returned to the reporter for improvement. Depending on the size of the newspaper, she may also write headlines to accompany these stories as well as physically arrange her section’s layout. At larger newspapers, articles which have been preliminarily reviewed by the city editor are generally passed along to copy editors for further editing and fact‑checking. The articles are then returned to the city editor, who looks them over again before sending them on to be typeset.

Generally, a city editor works under the supervision of a managing editor, who oversees the day-to-day production of the newspaper as a whole. She may be required to meet regularly with the managing editor as well as her fellow section editors to discuss the paper’s overall shape and content and to brainstorm “big picture” ideas for its sections. Often, she must also meet with staff from the visual departments of the paper to source artwork and discuss layout.

A good city editor also knows his/her reporter’s strengths and weaknesses and tries to assign stories accordingly. Plus, he or she is well served by a strong connection to the community, which can come in handy when a reporter is being stonewalled by city officials, for instance. A savvy city editor knows who to call to get the information.

A good city editor also knows how to use the news budget so the desk isn’t looking for stories at the last minute, with no idea how to fill the space. They can stretch the budget to make sure every edition has good copy.

Qualifications

While a degree in journalism may be useful to a city editor, it is not necessarily a prerequisite for the position. Most employers do, however, require editors to have a bachelor’s degree in some field. Some city editors might find that a degree in an area such as political science or sociology may actually provide the best foundation for covering metropolitan news. No matter her educational background, a metro editor must possess excellent writing and editing skills. In most cases, she must also have approximately five to ten years of professional newspaper experience to be eligible for the position.

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