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Developmental Editor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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

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

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 ...

The Huntington

Senior Editor

San Marino, CA · Hybrid

We are committed to the care and development of our collections, our financial and physical ... The Senior Editor also serves as the project manager and editor for online content and print ...

Deloitte

Editor, Consumer Industry

Fresno, CA · On-site

Stewarding each project through the full content development process, coordinating with authors ... Editing copy for factual accuracy, grammar, punctuation, readability, flow, and style, and applying ...

Deloitte

Editor, Consumer Industry

San Diego, CA · On-site

Stewarding each project through the full content development process, coordinating with authors ... Editing copy for factual accuracy, grammar, punctuation, readability, flow, and style, and applying ...

Deloitte

Editor, Consumer Industry

Sacramento, CA · On-site

Stewarding each project through the full content development process, coordinating with authors ... Editing copy for factual accuracy, grammar, punctuation, readability, flow, and style, and applying ...

TubeScience

Lead Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Lead Editors bridge the gap between strategic objectives and visual execution, transforming ... development. About TubeScience: Founded in 2016, TubeScience stands at the forefront of ...

TubeScience

Lead Editor

Los Angeles, CA

Lead Editors bridge the gap between strategic objectives and visual execution, transforming ... development. About TubeScience: Founded in 2016, TubeScience stands at the forefront of ...

TubeScience

Lead Editor

Los Angeles, CA

Lead Editors bridge the gap between strategic objectives and visual execution, transforming ... development. About TubeScience: Founded in 2016, TubeScience stands at the forefront of ...

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 ...

FedWriters, Inc.

Technical Editor

Camp Pendleton, CA · On-site

Join our team as Technical Editor and support Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity ... Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) efforts. write, revise, edit, format, and maintain ...

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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 5, 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 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.

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 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.
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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,867 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Editor

TrueShort

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

$250 - $350/day

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Editor
About TrueShort
TrueShort is one of the fastest-growing streaming apps in the United States. An AI studio and streaming platform where we experiment, develop and release original series and films constantly. No development purgatory.
Built for mobile-first viewing, TrueShort delivers premium, bingeable storytelling across an expanding slate of genres, reimagining how modern audiences discover and experience great stories.
Our team is experimenting at the frontier of AI-powered entertainment production across animation, live action, and emerging storytelling formats.
Backed by Jeffrey Katzenberg (Founder of DreamWorks), Scott Belsky, Ravi Nandan (A24), Khosla Ventures, and others.
Role Overview
We're looking for Editors to help assemble original series and films across a wide range of genres and formats.
Editors at TrueShort play a critical role in shaping pacing, emotion, clarity, and continuity across our productions. You'll work with AI-generated visuals, narration, music, sound design, and motion assets to help transform raw creative material into polished episodes and short-form content.
Projects may include animation, cinematic storytelling, experimental formats, comedy, action, sci-fi, horror, romance, kids & family, and more. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys storytelling, editing, internet-native pacing, and working inside fast-moving creative workflows.
Responsibilities
  • Edit short-form episodes and visual content using AI-generated footage and assets
  • Assemble visual sequences from scripts, storyboards, and shot lists
  • Shape pacing, timing, emotion, and narrative clarity
  • Integrate narration, music, sound effects, and dialogue
  • Add subtitles, titles, and basic motion graphics when needed
  • Maintain visual and storytelling consistency across projects
  • Collaborate closely with AI filmmakers, editors, and showrunners
  • Organize project files and prepare final exports for distribution
  • Help refine and improve evolving post-production workflows

Preferred Skills & Experience
  • Strong experience with Adobe Premiere Pro and/or DaVinci Resolve
  • Experience editing narrative, animated, or short-form content
  • Comfortable organizing large volumes of footage and visual assets
  • Familiarity with Frame.io or collaborative review pipelines is a plus
  • Understanding of AI audio and voice tools (ElevenLabs, Suno, etc.) is a plus
  • Experience with AI video workflows and generation tools (Kling, Veo, Seedance, Runway, etc.) is a plus
  • Familiarity with motion graphics or cleanup workflows is a plus

Compensation & Details
  • Contract Role
  • $250-$350 per day
  • Potential for long-term employment or full-time role
  • Los Angeles preferred (hybrid/in-person encouraged)

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