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Development Editor Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Economics Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$137K - $228K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work closely with editors across the Politics & Government department and other parts of the newsroom to execute comprehensive coverage of major economic developments. * Partner with Visuals and ...

Content Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work with SMEs to ensure content accuracy. * Assist in the development of instructional materials ... Strong editing and proofreading skills. * Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Senior Content Editor

Arlington, VA

$50K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Content Editor C² Technologies seeks a Senior Content Editor to ensure the quality of ... Optimize content development workflows and recommend process improvements. * Review and ensure ...

Technical Editor

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... and development practices. Summary: Goldbelt Hawk is seeking a Technical Editor to provide continued support to the DTRA NE-MA Department's customers and programs. Facilitating vulnerability ...

Content Editor

Arlington, VA

$50K - $100K/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work with SMEs to ensure content accuracy. * Assist in the development of instructional materials ... Strong editing and proofreading skills. * Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Senior Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$105K - $180K/yr

This editor will work with a small team responsible for making regular selections of books, under ... A well-developed point of view about literature-fiction and nonfiction alike-a willingness to argue ...

Senior Content Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Optimize content development workflows and recommend process improvements. * Review and ensure ... Expertise in editing and proofreading instructional materials. * Strong written communication ...

Technical Editor

Fort Belvoir, VA

$70K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... and development practices. Summary: Goldbelt Hawk is seeking a Technical Editor to provide continued support to the DTRA NE-MA Department's customers and programs. Facilitating vulnerability ...

Senior Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$105K - $180K/yr

This editor will work with a small team responsible for making regular selections of books, under ... A well-developed point of view about literature-fiction and nonfiction alike-a willingness to argue ...

Analytic Editor

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Analytic Editor LOCATION Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 CLEARANCE TS/SCI CI Poly (Please note this ... development. At our company, you come first. We're committed to creating an environment where you ...

Video Editor

Washington, DC

$110K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Provide expertise and input during creative meetings, contributing to the development of campaign ... Expertise in video editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro) and familiarity with motion graphics tools ...

Managing Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$93K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

ABOUT THIS ROLE The Aspen Institute's Philosophy & Society Program seeks a Managing Editor to lead the editorial vision, development, and production of the program's primary publications. This role ...

Technical Editor

Mclean, VA · On-site

$55K - $126K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a communications specialist on our team, you'll closely impact the development of creative ... Experience as a technical editor in an IC organization * Knowledge of the intelligence cycle and ...

Technical Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$55K - $126K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Technical Editor The Opportunity: Key to an organization's growth is strong stakeholder ... As a communications specialist on our team, you'll closely impact the development of creative ...

Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Looks for inconsistencies of thought, development, or organization. Confers with authors and ... Incumbent independently performs complex editing and writing tasks. Under general direction ...

Video Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Provide expertise and input during creative meetings, contributing to the development of campaign ... Expertise in video editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro) and familiarity with motion graphics tools ...

Showing results 21-40

Development Editor information

See Washington, DC salary details

$55.9K

$92.9K

$110.6K

How much do development editor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for development editor in Washington, DC is $92,921.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,900.00 and $109,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Development Editor jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Development Editor jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Development Editor jobs in Washington, DC?

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

What job categories do people searching Development Editor jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Development Editor jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Development Editor job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, and 21% Part Time. Highlights an 79% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,237 per year, or $44.8 per hour.

Economics Editor

The Washington Post

Washington, DC • On-site

$137K - $228K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Application Instructions
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Join the future of news
We're on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you'll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.
About Our Team
The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.
Why This Role Matters
The Washington Post is seeking an ambitious, collaborative and deeply knowledgeable editor to lead coverage of economic policy and the forces shaping the U.S. economy from Washington.
This editor will oversee a team of reporters covering economic policy at the White House, Congress, Federal Reserve and the broader economy, guiding journalism that helps readers understand how decisions in Washington ripple through businesses, markets and households across the country. The coverage spans federal spending, the labor force, trade, regulation, inflation and the changing relationship between government and the economy.
We are looking for an editor with exceptional news judgment, strong conceptual and line-editing skills and a deep understanding of economics and public policy. The ideal candidate thrives on helping reporters break news, pursue ambitious enterprise and explain complicated subjects with clarity and authority. This editor will be equally comfortable driving fast-paced daily coverage and shaping longer-term accountability and explanatory journalism.
This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom.
What Motivates You:
  • You are driven to explain how economic policy affects people's lives.
  • You enjoy helping reporters break news and develop ambitious enterprise.
  • You are fascinated by the intersection of economics, politics and power.
  • You thrive in a competitive, fast-moving newsroom.
  • You are energized by collaboration and developing journalists.

How You'll Support the Mission:
  • Lead and edit coverage of economic policy, related federal agencies and the relationship between government and the U.S. economy.
  • Guide reporters covering the institutions shaping economic policy.
  • Help identify and drive agenda-setting coverage, balancing breaking news, accountability reporting, explanatory journalism and enterprise.
  • Edit stories to the highest standards, sharpening reporting, framing and writing while ensuring accuracy, fairness and clarity.
  • Develop reporters, helping them build sourcing, identify ambitious targets and strengthen their storytelling.
  • Work closely with editors across the Politics & Government department and other parts of the newsroom to execute comprehensive coverage of major economic developments.
  • Partner with Visuals and Content Strategy teams to produce visually compelling, digitally optimized journalism tailored to a variety of platforms.
  • Use audience insights and performance data to inform strategy while maintaining a strong commitment to editorial excellence.
  • Help identify storytelling formats and opportunities to engage readers around complex economic topics.

The Skills and Experiences You Bring:
  • A strong track record of editing high-impact journalism on economics, business, public policy or politics.
  • Exceptional editorial judgment and the ability to shape both breaking news and ambitious enterprise.
  • Deep understanding of economic policy and the institutions that shape the U.S. economy.
  • Experience managing reporters and helping them produce distinctive, agenda-setting journalism.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.
  • A demonstrated ability to explain complex topics in ways that are accessible and engaging.
  • Familiarity with audience data and digital publishing strategies.
  • A commitment to accuracy, fairness and the highest standards of journalism.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and vision for the role to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Aug. 2 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Deputy Editor, Politics & Government Jennifer Liberto, Politics & Government Editor Nick Baumann and Managing Editor Peter Spiegel.
The salary range for this position is $137,300 - $228,900. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a Post recruiter will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.
Collaboration makes us stronger. That's why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.
Compensation and Benefits
Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:
  • Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
  • Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
  • Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
  • Nine paid holidays and two personal days
  • 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
  • Robust mental health resources
  • Backup care and caregiver concierge services
  • Gender affirming services
  • Pet insurance
  • Free Post digital subscription
  • Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.
Your story awaits. Apply today!
Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.