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Copy Editor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

K2 Group, Inc.

Technical Editor

Arlington, VA

*This is a contingent opportunity The Technical Editor is responsible for reviewing, editing, and ... Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.), electronic / soft copy matrices and / or web-enabled formats.

K2 Group, Inc.

Technical Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

*This is a contingent opportunity The Technical Editor is responsible for reviewing, editing, and ... Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.), electronic / soft copy matrices and / or web-enabled formats.

BAE Systems

TECHNICAL WRITER/EDITOR

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

... Enhancement Specialist Editor to support the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA ... Perform structural, substantive, and copy edits of analytical manuscripts for organization ...

BAE Systems

TECHNICAL WRITER/EDITOR

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

... Enhancement Specialist Editor to support the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA ... Perform structural, substantive, and copy edits of analytical manuscripts for organization ...

BAE Systems

TECHNICAL WRITER/EDITOR

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

... Enhancement Specialist Editor to support the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA ... Perform structural, substantive, and copy edits of analytical manuscripts for organization ...

Peraton

Technical Editor

Mclean, VA

$135K - $216K/yr

The editor will refine complex analytic content into accurate, polished products for senior executives, including materials supporting White House-oriented requirements. The ideal candidate brings ...

New

Tax Analysts

Editorial Assistant

Falls Church, VA

Proofreads and performs light copy editing for consistency, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Assists with editing as needed and notifies quality control of errors. * Creates shells for documents ...

New

Peraton

Technical Editor

Mclean, VA

$135K - $216K/yr

The editor will refine complex analytic content into accurate, polished products for senior executives, including materials supporting White House-oriented requirements. The ideal candidate brings ...

New

Peraton

Technical Editor

Mclean, VA · On-site

$135K - $216K/yr

The editor will refine complex analytic content into accurate, polished products for senior executives, including materials supporting White House-oriented requirements. The ideal candidate brings ...

New

Tax Analysts

Editorial Assistant

Falls Church, VA · On-site

Proofreads and performs light copy editing for consistency, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Assists with editing as needed and notifies quality control of errors. * Creates shells for documents ...

New

Distant Moon

Film Editor

Leesburg, VA · On-site

Distant Moon Film Editor | Leesburg, VA Distant Moon is an award-winning production company seeking a Film Editor to help shape documentary, commercial, and narrative projects from assembly through ...

Tax Analysts

Editorial Assistant

Falls Church, VA · On-site

Proofreads and performs light copy editing for consistency, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Assists with editing as needed and notifies quality control of errors. * Creates shells for documents ...

New

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All JobsCopy Editor JobsCopy Editor Jobs in Virginia

Copy Editor information

See Virginia salary details

$12

$28

$46

How much do copy editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for copy editor in Virginia is $28.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.92 and $31.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do I become a copy editor?

To become a copy editor, you typically need a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or a related field, along with strong language and editing skills. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level editing positions and becoming proficient with editing tools like Microsoft Word or style guides such as the AP or Chicago Manual of Style can improve job prospects.

What does a copywriter editor do?

A copy editor reviews and revises written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, grammar, and consistency. They often work with writers to improve style and tone, and may use editing tools like style guides or editing software as part of their process.

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.

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.

How much does a copy editor make?

The average salary for a copy editor varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 annually. Entry-level copy editors may earn around $35,000, while experienced professionals can make over $80,000, especially in specialized fields or with advanced skills in editing software.

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 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.

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. Skills in grammar, style, and familiarity with editing tools like Microsoft Word or content management systems are valuable, and demand is steady despite digital content growth. The role often requires attention to detail and sometimes certification or experience in specific style guides.
More about Copy Editor jobs
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What job categories do people searching Copy Editor jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Copy Editor jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Copy Editor jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Copy Editor job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Copy Editor jobs in VA? For Copy Editor jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Copy Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Copy Editor job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 78% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,296 per year, or $28.5 per hour.
English Editor

English Editor

Middle East Broadcasting Networks

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Job Announcement
English Editor
About MBN
Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) is the premier Arabic-first media organization that connects the Middle East and the United States. The company is in the midst of an exciting digital transformation and looking for energetic and talented people who care about journalism and the Middle East to join us on this journey.
We provide original and indispensable reporting, perspectives and commentary on the Middle East and how America's engagement impacts the region. MBN delivers content in both Arabic and English across multiple platforms, in formats including written articles, short-form video, newsletters, podcasts, data trackers and social media.
Our target audience is decision-makers, influencers, and residents of key capitals across the Middle East, as well as the next generation of globally engaged, digitally connected youth.
About the Role
MBN reports and writes in both English and Arabic, with much of its original sourcing and reporting now coming out of Washington, DC. The English Editor sits at the center of that operation, shaping work filed in English by MBN's DC and international correspondents and, when needed, adapting Arabic-origin reporting for English-language audiences. The role calls for someone who understands that Arabic and English are not parallel systems - they carry different sentence logic, rhetorical rhythms, cultural registers, and audience expectations. Whether a story originates in English or in Arabic, the editor makes it land with the same force and authority. That requires more than language skills. It requires cultural literacy in both directions: an instinct for how English-speaking readers receive and trust, and an understanding of how Arabic-speaking journalists think and frame.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following tasks are considered essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:
  • Edits English-language reporting filed by MBN's Washington, DC and international correspondents - sharpening clarity, accuracy, tone, structure, and platform fit, and ensuring each piece meets MBN's editorial standards.
  • Writes and edits English headlines, subheads, social captions, and newsletter subject lines, recognizing that each platform has its own copy conventions and audience behaviors. Ensures English-language discoverability across search, social, and newsletters reflects the quality of the underlying journalism.
  • Maintains a consistent editorial voice across all English-language products - newsletters, website, podcast scripts, and social content.
  • Collaborates closely with correspondents, producers, and editors across the newsroom - in DC and abroad - on story development, framing, and editorial decisions, working in both English and Arabic as needed.
  • Adapts Arabic-origin reporting and commentary for English-language and Western audiences - preserving the argument, sourcing, and editorial intent of the original while applying the structure, rhythm, and register English-language journalism demands. Exercises independent editorial judgment on when a piece requires added context, background, or explanation that an Arabic-speaking reader would not need but an English-speaking audience requires to receive the story with full force - without diluting the original or distancing the reader from the source.
  • Identifies cultural references, idiomatic constructions, and framing conventions in Arabic-origin material that require recontextualization for English-language audiences, and makes those adjustments without losing the authenticity of the source or the voice of the journalist who filed it.
  • Serves as the final editorial check on all English-language content before publication - for accuracy, tone, legal exposure, and consistency with MBN's editorial standards. This includes verifying that sources, places, and institutions are rendered correctly in English, particularly proper nouns that transliterate differently across Arabic dialects and regions.
  • Owns and maintains MBN's English-language style guide - covering tone and voice across platforms, conventions for spelling Arabic names and places, transliteration standards, and usage rules tailored to a newsroom publishing for both English- and Arabic-speaking audiences.
  • Uses AI and machine-translation tools to accelerate preliminary translation, transcription, and drafting workflows, treating their output as a starting point rather than a finished product.
  • Applies editorial judgment to AI- and machine-translation output - identifying mistranslations, flattened nuance, hallucinated facts, awkward phrasing, and tone errors, and rewriting where the technology falls short.

Other Duties:
Perform additional job-related duties and take on new responsibilities as needed based on organizational requirements and circumstances.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Candidates are required to have:
  • Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Translation, Middle Eastern Studies, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • 5+ years of professional editing experience in journalism, digital media, publishing, or international news environments.
  • Native-level or near-native English-language editing and writing skills with exceptional command of grammar, syntax, tone, and journalistic style.
  • Professional fluency in Arabic, with the ability to accurately interpret nuance, framing, cultural references, and editorial intent in Arabic-language journalism.
  • Demonstrated experience editing and adapting bilingual or translated content for English-language audiences while preserving the meaning and voice of the original.
  • Strong grounding in English-language journalism standards and editorial structure.
  • Experience editing content across multiple formats and platforms, including websites, newsletters, podcast scripts, social media, and multimedia products.
  • Strong attention to detail, particularly in fact-checking, transliteration consistency, source verification, and copy accuracy.
  • Knowledge of Arabic transliteration standards and experience ensuring consistency in the spelling of Arabic names, locations, organizations, and institutions in English.
  • Strong editorial judgment and understanding of legal, ethical, and reputational considerations in international journalism.
  • Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, digital-first newsroom environment.
  • Experience covering Middle East affairs, international news, or cross-cultural reporting is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted editing and machine-translation tools, and sound judgment about when to rely on them and when to override them.

MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.

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