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Developmental Editing Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Senior Editor, Books

Washington, DC · On-site

$76 - $87/hr

Provides editorial and project management support for the development, editing, and production of APAP products, including books, ebooks, mobile apps, and consolidations of content from existing ...

New

Essay Editing Tutor

Laurel, MD · 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

Alexandria, VA · 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

Rockville, MD · 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

Washington, DC · 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

Fairfax, VA · 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

Bowie, MD · 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 ...

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 Washington salary details

$12

$35

$65

How much do developmental editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for developmental editing in Washington is $35.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.23 and $44.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 Washington?

The most popular types of Developmental Editing jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Developmental Editing jobs in Washington?

For Developmental Editing jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Developmental Editing jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Developmental Editing jobs in Washington are:

Infographic showing various Developmental Editing job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 64% In-person, 16% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,443 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Senior Technical Editor

Patriot Enterprises LLC

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Description:The FHA Senior Technical Editor oversees the entire editorial process for high-stakes technical documentation, ensuring stylistic consistency across large-scale programs and mentoring junior staffLeads a team responsible for transforming raw data and engineering jargon into authoritative documents that meet the stringent requirements of the agency, including reference checking, fact checking, and ensuring copyright complianceDuties and Responsibilities:Focus on substantive editing, verifying technical accuracy, and ensuring compliance with agency style guides for all documents, reports, and manualsLead an independently working team, managing the full lifecycle of a document from outline to final publication including online and web publishingCollaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs), project managers, technical staff, leadership, and stakeholders to translate complex technical, scientific, regulatory, or policy information into clear, concise, and audience-appropriate communications Establish, maintain, and enforce editorial standards, writing conventions, branding requirements, and document formatting guidelines to ensure consistency across all organizational publications Provide substantive editing, copy editing, line editing, and developmental editing to improve document quality, logical flow, readability, and usability while preserving technical accuracy and author intentReview documents for compliance with applicable organizational policies, contractual requirements, regulatory guidance, publication standards, and accessibility requirements   Education:Master's Degree (Senior) in English, Journalism, or a technical field Experience:10+ years of supervisory and project management experience; FHA transportation experience, especially in highway and surface transportation is preferredThis position requires an expert-level command of the US Government Publishing Office (GPO) Style Manual and an eye for detail when ensuring quality control for all publications and documents