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Development Editor Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Sourcebooks LLC

Editor - Romance

Naperville, IL · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

The Editor, Bloom Books and Bloom YA will acquire, edit, and manage both adult fiction and young ... Exhibiting initiative, leadership, and a strong desire to grow in book and product development.

Sourcebooks

Editor - Romance

Naperville, IL · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

The Editor, Bloom Books and Bloom YA will acquire, edit, and manage both adult fiction and young ... Exhibiting initiative, leadership, and a strong desire to grow in book and product development.

Fastmarkets

Non Ferrous Editor Americas

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

The regional editor implements the broader Fastmarkets growth strategies, working with the ... Adopt and drive the LEAP (Launch, Elevate, Attack, Protect) approach to price development and ...

American

Data Journalism Editor, IRW

Campus, IL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

The Data Editor works withother editorsand internsand graduate fellowson data collection, data ... Web development, especially news applications and data visualization tools. Other Duties:

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All JobsDevelopment Editor JobsDevelopment Editor Jobs in Illinois

Development Editor information

See Illinois salary details

$48K

$79.8K

$95K

How much do development editor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for development editor in Illinois is $79,800.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,700.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much is a Developmental Editor paid?

Developmental editors typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, project scope, and industry. Freelance developmental editors may charge hourly rates ranging from $30 to $100 or more, based on their expertise and the complexity of the work.

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

To thrive as a Development Editor, you need a strong grasp of editorial processes, manuscript evaluation, and subject-matter expertise, typically supported by a degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with publishing software like Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and content management systems is crucial, as is experience with style guides such as Chicago or APA. Exceptional communication, project management, and collaboration skills help build productive relationships with authors and cross-functional teams. These abilities ensure high-quality content development, adherence to publishing standards, and successful project delivery.

How does a Development Editor typically collaborate with authors and other editorial team members throughout the publishing process?

As a Development Editor, you work closely with authors to shape manuscripts, providing detailed feedback on structure, content, and clarity. Collaboration is key—regular meetings and written communications help guide authors through revisions and ensure the manuscript aligns with the publisher's vision. You’ll also coordinate with copy editors, proofreaders, and sometimes designers to maintain consistency and quality throughout the publication process. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to balance constructive criticism with encouragement, ensuring a smooth and productive workflow for all parties involved.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

Development editors in media can earn $150,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in editing and project management, and work at major publishing houses or media companies. High salaries are often associated with senior roles, specialized expertise, or leadership positions within the industry.

What Is a Development Editor?

A development editor works with an author to define and improve the structure and content of a manuscript. Development editors may start early on, from the point when the manuscript is accepted for publication, noting a lack of focus and helping the author refine a more definite direction for the book. They may also discover inconsistent tone, an unclear audience, or a stilted writing style, and provide suggestions to resolve these issues. Some development editors review the book chapter by chapter, until the book is ready for publication. Most developmental editors have a degree in English or a related subject. Many have experience in publishing as copy editors or proofreaders, or have been writers themselves before moving to become developmental editors.

What is the difference between Development Editor vs Content Editor?

AspectDevelopment EditorContent Editor
Primary RoleOversees the development process of a publication, including editing, coordinating with authors, and managing timelines.Focuses on editing and refining the content for clarity, style, and accuracy.
Required SkillsStrong editing, project management, and communication skills; knowledge of publishing processes.Excellent editing, grammar, and style skills; attention to detail.
Work EnvironmentTypically works in publishing houses, educational institutions, or corporate publishing teams.Works in similar environments, often within editorial teams or media companies.

While both roles involve editing, a Development Editor manages the overall development and production process of a publication, whereas a Content Editor concentrates on refining the content itself. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in publishing and editing industries.

What is a Development Editor?

A Development Editor is a publishing professional who works closely with authors to shape and refine the content, structure, and overall direction of a manuscript before it moves to copyediting or production. Their primary focus is on the big-picture elements such as organization, clarity, pacing, and coherence of the work. Development Editors provide constructive feedback and suggestions to help authors strengthen their ideas and ensure the manuscript meets its intended purpose and audience. They are commonly employed in book publishing, academic, and educational settings.

What is the role of a Developmental Editor?

A Developmental Editor is responsible for shaping the content, structure, and overall flow of a manuscript during its early stages. They work closely with authors to improve organization, clarity, and coherence, often providing feedback on plot, character development, and pacing, especially in fiction and non-fiction projects. Strong editing skills and knowledge of the target audience are essential for this role.

How much do developmental editors make?

Developmental editors typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and the complexity of projects. Freelance developmental editors may charge hourly rates ranging from $30 to $100 or more, based on their expertise and the scope of work.
More about Development Editor jobs
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Development Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Editor job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 84% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 68% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,800 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

Antitrust - Managing Editor, Antitrust Law Journal (JD required)

aba

Chicago, IL

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

The Managing Editor is responsible for the day-to-day logistics of producing the Antitrust Law Journal, as well as providing academic rigor, substantive accuracy, and quality control for articles in the editing pipeline and participating in the development and final production of articles for publication––a process that spans submission, peer review, editing, cite checking, typesetting, and production.
 

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

-Manage submission process, including communicating with submitters, checking conflicts information on submitted articles; assigning peer reviewers for submissions; assessing referee comments; corresponding with referees; discussing referee reports with editors; and preparing draft emails for submission acceptances and rejections.

-Manage development and progress of articles through the editing process, including tracking and reporting on status of articles; communicating with editorial board by email and at meetings; participating in regular conference calls; assigning primary editors and intermediate editors for each article, communicating with authors and editors; and reviewing primary and intermediate edits of articles

-Manage fact- and cite-checking process for each article through review of all citations for: (a) academic rigor; (b) fair characterization of cited material and quotations; and (c) correct interpretation of data and quantitative analyses.

-Prepare final articles for typesetting and printing by managing review of proofs by authors and editors and communicating with vendors.

-Performs other related duties as required.
 

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

-Possession of a JD from an ABA-accredited law school, with at least one law school course in antitrust, and a working knowledge of at least basic economics.

-Lawyer or law professor with at least 3 years of practice, including an emphasis on antitrust, and significant legal writing experience and law review experience. 
 

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

-Previous publishing experience in writing and/or editing specialized legal books, periodicals, or law reviews.

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