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Developmental Editing Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Senior Editor

New York, NY ยท On-site

$210K - $290K/yr

Move fluidly from high-level editorial vision to developmental editing to line-level copy editing. Deliver feedback that makes the writing and the writer better. * Mentor, elevate, and attract ...

Associate Editor

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site +1

$60K - $65K/yr

Experience with line and developmental editing, project managing frontlist fiction, and working closely with authors/agents with an eye to author care * Background knowledge of the publishing ...

Associate Editor

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Experience with line and developmental editing, project managing frontlist fiction, and working closely with authors/agents with an eye to author care * Background knowledge of the publishing ...

Associate Editor

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site +1

$60K - $65K/yr

Experience with line and developmental editing, project managing frontlist fiction, and working closely with authors/agents with an eye to author care * Background knowledge of the publishing ...

Editors serve a critical function in newsrooms. They make stories better and shepherd the news ... development programs. For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided ...

New

Editing Resident

New York, NY ยท On-site

$98K/yr

Editors serve a critical function in newsrooms. They make stories better and shepherd the news ... development programs. For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided ...

New

Oversee the development of newsletters, recurring franchises, and editorial products that build ... Editing Excellence * Raise the quality and impact of daily journalism through strong editing and ...

Essay Editing Tutor

New Rochelle, NY ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

Essay Editing Tutor

Summit, NJ ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

Essay Editing Tutor

Norwalk, CT ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

Essay Editing Tutor

Yonkers, NY ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

Essay Editing Tutor

Hempstead, NY ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

Essay Editing Tutor

Paterson, NJ ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

Essay Editing Tutor

Jersey City, NJ ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

Essay Editing Tutor

New Brunswick, NJ ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

Essay Editing Tutor

Paramus, NJ ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, transitions ... Emphasizes teaching self-editing skills and connects essay revision to academic success ...

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Showing results 1-20

Developmental Editing information

See New York salary details

$12

$34

$63

How much do developmental editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for developmental editing in New York is $34.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.41 and $43.41 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.

How do you become a developmental editor?

To become a developmental editor, individuals typically develop strong writing, editing, and communication skills, often through a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or related fields. Gaining experience by editing manuscripts, building a portfolio, and understanding the editing process is essential; many also pursue certifications from professional organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association or the Chicago Manual of Style. Familiarity with editing software and industry standards helps improve job prospects in this field.

How much do developmental editors make?

Developmental editors typically earn between $30,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Freelance developmental editors may charge hourly rates ranging from $25 to $100 or more, with rates influenced by their expertise and the scope of editing required.

What is developmental editing?

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 to do in developmental editing?

Developmental editing involves reviewing and improving the overall structure, content, and flow of a manuscript or document. It includes providing feedback on organization, clarity, tone, and coherence, often working closely with authors to shape the work before copyediting and proofreading. Strong editing skills, familiarity with style guides, and effective communication are essential for this role.

What do developmental editors do?

Developmental editors work with authors to improve the structure, content, and overall flow of a manuscript during the early stages of editing. They provide feedback on organization, character development, pacing, and clarity, often collaborating closely with writers to shape the manuscript before copyediting and proofreading. Strong communication skills and a deep understanding of storytelling or subject matter are essential in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in developmental editing, 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Developmental Editing jobs in New York? The most popular types of Developmental Editing jobs in New York are:
What are popular job titles related to Developmental Editing jobs in New York? For Developmental Editing jobs in New York, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Developmental Editing job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,908 per year, or $34.6 per hour.

Senior Editor

Perplexity

New York, NY โ€ข On-site

$210K - $290K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Perplexity is seeking a Senior Editor to lead the quality and velocity of everything we publish. Our content spans a range of audiences, channels, and objectives. You will set the editorial bar for excellence and make every writer around you measurably better.
If you treat a clunky sentence and a sprawling launch narrative as the same kind of craft, take pride in language without being precious about deadlines, and want to build a world-class editorial function from the ground up, this role is for you.
Responsibilities
  • Own editorial quality end to end.
  • Reject mediocrity.
  • Demand clarity. Ensure accuracy.
  • Be Perplexity. Evolve and enforce our voice. Everything we ship should sound like we shipped it.
  • Be accountable. Hold objective authority in a sea of subjective opinions.
  • Plan and manage the editorial calendar. Run prioritization and production for a fast-moving pipeline in a high-growth environment.
  • Edit at every level. Player-coach plus team owner and stadium sponsor. Move fluidly from high-level editorial vision to developmental editing to line-level copy editing. Deliver feedback that makes the writing and the writer better.
  • Mentor, elevate, and attract excellent writers. Earn the respect of strong writers by making them stronger.
  • Make sense of things. Make sense to people.
  • Build the editorial system. Evolve and own the style guides and workflows.
  • Work productively across the company. Everyone wants content, and you're the content.

Qualifications
  • 7+ years in editing, writing, or editorial leadership, with a body of published or edited work that demonstrates exceptional command of language.
  • High flexibility of tone and mind. You must be able to demonstrate an ability to adapt styles and voices for different channels or audiences.
  • High competence throughout the editorial stack: developmental editing, copy editing, content planning, and managing production.
  • A demonstrated track record of mentoring writers and improving the quality of a team's output, not just your own.
  • Exceptional ability to learn.
  • Refined judgment on all matters of structure, argument, and voice
  • A proven eye for narrative in messy, ambiguous, or highly technical material.
  • Deep familiarity with the rules of grammar, style, and storytelling.
  • Enough experience in the bullet above that you have a clear perspective on which rules you intend to break and when.
  • Comfort using AI tools and the ability to articulate exactly where and how you incorporate them into your workflows.
  • A passion for the truth well-told.