ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Developmental Editing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Gartner

Editor

Irving, TX · Remote

Developmental editing will be needed in some of your work to ensure the content has a logical narrative and is easy for our clients to use and consume. Guide authors with clear advice and examples of ...

Gartner

Editor

Fort Myers, FL · Remote

Developmental editing will be needed in some of your work to ensure the content has a logical narrative and is easy for our clients to use and consume. Guide authors with clear advice and examples of ...

Gartner

Editor

Fort Myers, FL · Remote

Developmental editing will be needed in some of your work to ensure the content has a logical narrative and is easy for our clients to use and consume. Guide authors with clear advice and examples of ...

Gartner, Inc.

Editor

Irving, TX · On-site

Developmental editing will be needed in some of your work to ensure the content has a logical narrative and is easy for our clients to use and consume. Guide authors with clear advice and examples of ...

Gartner

Editor

Irving, TX · Remote

Developmental editing will be needed in some of your work to ensure the content has a logical narrative and is easy for our clients to use and consume. Guide authors with clear advice and examples of ...

GW, Inc.

Associate Developmental Editor

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

As an Associate Developmental Editor, you will be creating educational (instructional) content and assessments, focusing on higher education and adult learning. Our mission is to (1) create content ...

Vanguard Group, Inc.

Editor

Malvern, PA · On-site

Provide developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for marketing materials and client communications. * Evaluate content for clarity, accuracy, tone, flow, and Vanguard style. Organize and ...

Vanguard Group

Editor

Malvern, PA · On-site

Provide developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for marketing materials and client communications. * Evaluate content for clarity, accuracy, tone, flow, and Vanguard style. Organize and ...

Vangard, Inc.

Editor

Malvern, PA

Provide developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for marketing materials and client communications. * Evaluate content for clarity, accuracy, tone, flow, and Vanguard style. Organize and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsDevelopmental Editing Jobs

Developmental Editing information

See salary details

$11

$31

$57

How much do developmental editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for developmental editing in the United States is $31.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $39.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical challenges faced in developmental editing, and how do editors overcome them?

Developmental Editors often encounter challenges such as helping authors address major structural issues, balancing the author's voice with editorial recommendations, and managing tight deadlines. Overcoming these challenges requires clear and constructive feedback, patience, and strong project management skills to keep revisions on track. Editors also rely on regular communication with authors and other team members to ensure everyone is aligned throughout the editing process. Successfully navigating these challenges leads to a more polished and marketable manuscript while maintaining a positive author-editor relationship.

What is a Developmental Editing job?

A Developmental Editing job involves evaluating the structure, content, and overall coherence of a manuscript to improve its clarity, organization, and impact. Developmental editors work closely with authors to refine story arcs, character development, pacing, and thematic consistency. Unlike copy editors, they focus on big-picture elements rather than grammar or syntax. This process is common in book publishing, particularly for fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. The goal is to help authors strengthen their work before it moves to the next stage of editing and publication.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Developmental Editing position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Developmental Editor, you need advanced skills in manuscript evaluation, story structure, and content organization, usually supported by a background in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with editorial software such as Microsoft Word with Track Changes, Adobe Acrobat, and project management tools is important, and professional certifications from organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association are a plus. Excellent communication, collaboration, and diplomacy are essential soft skills when guiding authors through major revisions. These abilities ensure effective manuscript improvement and foster positive relationships with writers and publishing teams.

More about Developmental Editing jobs
What cities are hiring for Developmental Editing jobs? Cities with the most Developmental Editing job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Developmental Editing jobs? The most popular types of Developmental Editing jobs are:
What states have the most Developmental Editing jobs? States with the most job openings for Developmental Editing jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Developmental Editing jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Developmental Editing jobs are:
Developmental Editing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Developmental Editing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,728 per year, or $31.6 per hour.
Developmental Editor

Developmental Editor

Manning Publications Co

Shelter Island, NY

Part-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Company Description

Manning Publication publishes books for technology professionals including programmers, system administrators, designers, architects, managers and others. We care about the quality of our books, and we think of our authors as the most valuable part of our business. We work with our authors to coax out of them the best writing they can produce. We consult with technical experts on book proposals and manuscripts, and we may use as many as two dozen reviewers in various stages of preparing a manuscript. The abilities of each author are nurtured to encourage him or her to write a first-rate book.

Job Description

Developmental editor

Manning Publications Co. seeks Developmental Editors to work directly with book authors to create high-quality manuscripts on time. Ideal candidates are critical thinkers who skillfully identify and articulate weaknesses in a manuscript's organization and writing, adopt a coaching/mentoring role with authors, firmly but diplomatically communicate with authors, work both independently and in a distributed team environment, and reliably meet deadlines. Candidates must possess passing knowledge of software concepts and technologies (such as mobile application development, responsive design, cloud computing, big data and analytics, and agile and lean development). This is a great position for someone looking for part-time work (15-20 hours a week).

Primary duties

  • Coach authors on techniques for how to teach difficult or important concepts in their manuscript
  • Identify opportunities for authors to improve organization, presentation, clarity, and value to the book's intended audience
  • Continually assess manuscript content at a high level
  • Manage the book-development process so that authors are completing manuscripts by due dates
  • Ensure that manuscripts adhere to Manning's writing guidelines
  • Provide project status and content assessment to publisher, acquisition editor, development manager and other Manning staff
  • Contribute to the ongoing assessment and improvement of editorial procedures and standards
  • Perform occasional tasks related to the marketing of books

Please note: This position does not include copy editing duties

Must have requirements

  • General understanding of technical concepts, software development, and current industry trends
  • 1+ years previous substantive editing experience
  • Must be available for a minimum of 20 hours per week (primarily during U.S. business hours).
  • Strong project- and time-management skills
  • Excellent organization and multitasking skills
  • Must be proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), Adobe Acrobat, and other tools required in an online environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable communicating via email, Skype, and phone
  • Must have remote office setup (computer, Internet and email access, reliable phone line)

Preferred qualifications

Previous experience in a book publishing environment

Additional Information

Apply for this position

Email your resume and two references with job DE-2018-8 in the subject line. If selected for an interview, be prepared to complete an editing sample. This is a freelance, telecommute opportunity (no travel).

Apply