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Copy Editor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

KACE

Copy Editor

Ashburn, VA · On-site

Copy Editor Location: Washington, DC /Remote eligible Security Clearance: Moderate Background Investigation (MBI) Schedule: Due to the nature of law enforcement work and operation, position may ...

KACE

Copy Editor

Washington, DC

Copy Editor Location: Washington, DC /Remote eligible Security Clearance: Moderate Background Investigation (MBI) Schedule: Due to the nature of law enforcement work and operation, position may ...

Stand Together

Copy Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Stand Together is seeking a strong copy editor-a key player in our mission to elevate writing standards and maintain the integrity of our content across diverse platforms. As a central figure within ...

Stand Together

Copy Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Stand Together is seeking a strong copy editor-a key player in our mission to elevate writing standards and maintain the integrity of our content across diverse platforms. As a central figure within ...

Stand Together

Copy Editor

Arlington, VA

$100K - $120K/yr

Stand Together is seeking a strong copy editor--a key player in our mission to elevate writing standards and maintain the integrity of our content across diverse platforms. As a central figure within ...

Dlapiper

Legal Specialist, Copy Editor

Reston, VA · On-site

Summary The Legal Specialist, Copy Editor, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm's strategic initiatives, is responsible for reviewing, editing, and refining pre-bill narrative ...

Dlapiper

Legal Specialist, Copy Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

Summary The Legal Specialist, Copy Editor, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm's strategic initiatives, is responsible for reviewing, editing, and refining pre-bill narrative ...

Condé Nast

Copy Director, Tatler

Adelphi, MD · Hybrid

The Role The Copy Director will oversee and be responsible for Tatler's copy desk and its sub-editing workflow, across all of the magazine's platforms, including its supplements. They will have a ...

ICF

Quality Assurance Editor - On-call

Reston, VA · Remote

The Quality Assurance Editor is responsible for ensuring that all project deliverables meet established government client standards for branding, style, formatting, consistency, and accuracy. This ...

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Copy Editor information

See Washington salary details

$14

$32

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How much do copy editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for copy editor in Washington is $32.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.05 and $36.20 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.
More about Copy Editor jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Copy Editor jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Copy Editor jobs in Washington are:

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

What job categories do people searching Copy Editor jobs in Washington look for?

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

What cities in Washington are hiring for Copy Editor jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Copy Editor job openings:

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

Copy Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Copy Editor job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,739 per year, or $32.6 per hour.

Copy Editor

KACE

Ashburn, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Title: Copy Editor
Location: Washington, DC /Remote eligible
Security Clearance: Moderate Background Investigation (MBI)
Schedule: Due to the nature of law enforcement work and operation, position may require occasional support outside of core working hours, as well as intermittent weekend support, mission dependent
Salary: Approximately $ 75,000-82,000.00/Annually
Level: ISA I-D
Division: Communications, Governance, and Strategy Group
About KACE:
KACE delivers technology-enabled mission services that advance public health, public safety, and national security, combining our large-scale operational capabilities with advanced technologies and data insights to meet the government's most complex challenges.
At KACE, purpose and service are at the heart of everything we do, and every role plays a part in the mission. Our employees bring a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives to the critical government operations we support, making a measurable impact every day. This is purpose-driven work, and we are committed to delivering a workforce that is mission-focused, accountable, and dedicated to advancing the nation's safety, security, and performance.
We're proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work! This is an honor that reflects the voices of our employees and the culture we've built together. This certification recognizes our commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered. At KACE, being a Great Place to Work means we prioritize professional growth, celebrate achievements, encourage collaboration, and foster an environment where innovation thrives.
The KACE Way is our commitment to our employees, to our customers, and to our communities. Join KACE and make a difference!
Job Summary:
The Postal Inspection Service Communications, Governance & Strategy (CGS) staff regularly coordinate with subject matter experts (SMEs) to support the production of governance and procedural documentation. The role of a copy editor is vital to ensuring the clarity, accuracy, and consistency of our written content. Their meticulous review and editing guarantee that the material is not only free of errors but also effectively achieves the intended communications objectives. The Governance copy editor position provides task-specific support to the rest of the team. The copy editor will augment the career and non-career staff to ensure all written products are reviewed, formatted, and concise.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
  • Delivers properly formatted, final versions of policies, procedures, and other governance work type products.
  • Coordinates work products with applicable shareholders.
  • Ensure timelines and deliverables are maintained.
  • Obtains management approval of all final work products.
  • Provides guidance to career and non-career staff regarding the drafting of policies and procedures.
  • Assist with other communication/governance work products as needed.
  • Proficiency in reviewing and editing standard operating procedures, policies, and other written instructions.
  • Advanced knowledge of the rules of grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Ability to correct errors of grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, and other elements of the English language sufficient to ensure written products are correct, clear, concise, and compliant with established style guides.
  • Ability to analyze written content on the paragraph, page, and chapter levels to ensure overall messaging is coherent and cohesive.
  • Proficiency in conducting research on the internet, in public databases, and through email, phone, or in-person queries with subject matter experts to ensure claims of fact are true and accurate.
  • Knowledge of basic page layout and typography is sufficient to identify errors and make corrections or instruct graphics personnel to do so.
  • Ability to effectively work with and without direct supervision.
  • Ability to support the preparation of a final product.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), including the use of the Track Changes tool; proficiency with Adobe Acrobat, including the use of the Comment tools.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills:
  • A Bachelor' Degree from an accredited college or university AND a minimum of (3) three years of work experience demonstrating the ability to organize information and communicate effectively.
  • Experience supporting law enforcement and/or experience in legal drafting is desired.
  • Significant demonstrated experience will be considered in lieu of the education requirement.

Clearance:
Applicants selected may be subject to a government background investigation and may be required to meet the following conditions of employment.
Security Requirements/Background Investigation Requirements:
  • Must be a U.S Citizen.
  • Favorable credit check for all cleared positions
  • Successfully passing a background investigation including drug screening.
  • Residency requirement - 3 consecutive years in the last 5 years.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
  • Standing/Walking/Mobility: Must have mobility to attend meetings with other managers and employees.
  • Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: 10% of the time.
  • Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: 10%
  • Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to write, type, and use a telephone system 100% of the time.
  • Sitting: Sitting for prolonged and extended periods of time.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may revise duties as necessary without updating this job description.
For more information about the company please visit our website at www.kacecompany.com
KACE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
KACE complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to recruiting@kacecompany.com.

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