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Developmental Editor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

B Capital

Senior Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

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 ...

J. Paul Getty Trust, The

Senior Editor

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

Assists with the training and development of junior staff in the department and of the freelance ... text editing to transmittal of manuscript and illustration program to design and production team.

Mattel

Editor - Publishing

El Segundo, CA

This role will support the editorial development and execution of Mattel's publishing program for readers ages 8 through adult , spanning fiction, graphic novels, adult nonfiction and activity books ...

Mattel

Editor - Publishing

El Segundo, CA · On-site

This role will support the editorial development and execution of Mattel's publishing program for readers ages 8 through adult , spanning fiction, graphic novels, adult nonfiction and activity books ...

Mattel

Editor - Publishing

El Segundo, CA · On-site

This role will support the editorial development and execution of Mattel's publishing program for readers ages 8 through adult , spanning fiction, graphic novels, adult nonfiction and activity books ...

J. Paul Getty Trust, The

Senior Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$85K - $113K/yr

Assists with the training and development of junior staff in the department and of the freelance ... text editing to transmittal of manuscript and illustration program to design and production team.

TrueShort

Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$250 - $350/day

No development purgatory. Built for mobile-first viewing, TrueShort delivers premium, bingeable ... Editors at TrueShort play a critical role in shaping pacing, emotion, clarity, and continuity ...

Robert Half

Editor

San Diego, CA · On-site

$27.71 - $32.09/hr

Provide editing and formatting support during the closing phase of report development after technical content has been finalized. * Conduct detailed quality checks to identify inconsistencies, layout ...

MediaNews Group, Inc.

Editor

Walnut Creek, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

We want an editor who can see the story before everyone else does, move quickly when news breaks and help reporters turn daily developments into coverage that matters. This is not a passive editing ...

Procom Consultants Group

Web Editor

Folsom, CA · On-site

Application Development Project Management Quality Assurance Business/Systems Analysis ... Web Editor Job Details Manages content for internet or intranet sites. Responsible for migrating ...

Condé Nast

Staff Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... development. You should also be a sharp line editor, good at structuring an argument and ... eliminating jargon. You should be a polymath, not just able but eager to immerse yourself in a ...

MediaNews Group, Inc.

Editor

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

We want an editor who can see the story before everyone else does, move quickly when news breaks and help reporters turn daily developments into coverage that matters. This is not a passive editing ...

KQED

Senior Video Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Working closely with the Manager, Video Content & Development, the Senior Video Editor will edit original digital video content while also establishing and maintaining consistent post-production ...

KQED

Senior Video Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110K - $137K/yr

Working closely with the Manager, Video Content & Development, the Senior Video Editor will edit original digital video content while also establishing and maintaining consistent post-production ...

Condé Nast

Staff Editor

San Francisco, CA

$80K - $105K/yr

... development. You should also be a sharp line editor, good at structuring an argument and ... eliminating jargon. You should be a polymath, not just able but eager to immerse yourself in a ...

Houdini Inc.

Be Seen First

Photo Editor

Fullerton, CA · On-site

$22/hr

Overview of The Junior Photo Editor/Photographer will work in the studio as part of the photo team ... Photograph all gifts designed in each stage of development (concept through final) for our ...

Golden Hippo

Video Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $88K/yr

Video Editor Location: Hybrid (Woodland Hills, CA) What You'll Be Doing: In this role as the Video ... Digital Strategy and Audience Development experience (preferred) Golden Perks & Benefits:

FedWriters, Inc.

Technical Editor

Camp Pendleton, CA · On-site

$81K - $88K/yr

... Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) efforts. write, revise, edit, format, and maintain ... Experience writing, revising, editing, formatting, and maintaining engineering and test ...

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Developmental Editor information

See California salary details

$11

$31

$56

How much do developmental editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for developmental editor in California is $31.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.11 and $39.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a developmental editor?

A developmental editor is a professional who works with authors to shape the overall structure, content, and flow of a manuscript. They focus on big-picture elements such as plot, character development, pacing, organization, and clarity, rather than correcting grammar or punctuation. Developmental editors provide feedback and suggestions to help authors strengthen their work, often collaborating through multiple drafts. Their goal is to help the author produce a compelling and coherent final manuscript.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a developmental editor?

To thrive as a Developmental Editor, you need a strong command of language, deep understanding of narrative structure, and experience in editing or writing, often supported by a degree in English, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with editing software such as Microsoft Word (with track changes), Adobe Acrobat, and project management tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, critical thinking, and the ability to give constructive feedback help a Developmental Editor guide authors effectively. These skills ensure manuscripts are well-organized, coherent, and compelling, ultimately leading to successful publications.

How does a developmental editor typically collaborate with authors and other editorial team members during the manuscript development process?

Developmental editors work closely with authors, providing constructive feedback on overall structure, content flow, and character development. They often hold regular meetings or exchanges to discuss revisions and clarify the author’s vision, ensuring the manuscript meets both creative and market goals. Collaboration with copy editors, proofreaders, and sometimes project managers is also common, as developmental editors help coordinate the workflow and maintain consistency throughout the editorial process. This teamwork fosters a supportive environment focused on producing the strongest possible manuscript.

What is the difference between Developmental Editor vs Copy Editor?

AspectDevelopmental EditorCopy Editor
Primary FocusBig-picture content development, structure, and overall flowLine-by-line editing, grammar, and style consistency
Skills & CredentialsStrong editing, developmental, and storytelling skills; often a background in writing or editingExcellent grammar, punctuation, and style knowledge; often a background in editing or journalism
Work EnvironmentCollaborates closely with authors and writers during manuscript developmentReviews and refines existing text for clarity and correctness

Developmental Editors focus on shaping the content's structure and overall narrative, while Copy Editors refine the language, grammar, and style. Both roles require strong editing skills but serve different stages of the editing process, making them complementary in publishing workflows.

What are popular job titles related to Developmental Editor jobs in California?

For Developmental Editor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Developmental Editor jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Developmental Editor jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Developmental Editor jobs?

Cities in California with the most Developmental Editor job openings:

Developmental Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Developmental Editor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 92% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,867 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Senior Editor

San Francisco, CA • On-site

B Capital
11 - 50 employees
Learn more about B Capitalexternal

$100 - $130/hr

Other

Posted 7 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.
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