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Developmental Editor Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Aquent

Copy Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$45 - $48/hr

This is not a developmental or junior editing position. We're looking for seasoned editors who can work independently, exercise sound editorial judgment, identify factual inaccuracies, and ensure ...

Deloitte

Editor, Consumer Industry

Chicago, IL · 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 ...

American

Managing Editor, IRW

Campus, IL · On-site

Oversee those on contract for reporting, editing, design, and web development. * Approve any and all use of proprietary or subscription-based tools to do our work. * Collaborate with the data editor ...

Sourcebooks LLC

Editor - Romance

Naperville, IL · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

The Editor, Bloom Books and Bloom YA will acquire, edit, and manage both adult fiction and young ... Exhibiting initiative, leadership, and a strong desire to grow in book and product development.

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Developmental Editor information

See Illinois salary details

$10

$30

$55

How much do developmental editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for developmental editor in Illinois is $30.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.72 and $38.41 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, and why are they important?

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 Illinois? For Developmental Editor jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Developmental Editor jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Developmental Editor jobs in Illinois are:
Developmental Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Developmental Editor job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,692 per year, or $30.6 per hour.
Copy Editor

Copy Editor

Aquent

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$45 - $48/hr

Temporary

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Placement Type:
Temporary
Salary:
$45-48 Hourly
Start Date:
Aug 3, 2026
We are seeking an experienced Editor to support a large-scale website content initiative across multiple university brands. This is a high-volume production role focused on editing, fact-checking, and quality assurance for both long-form SEO articles and website content, including FAQs, program pages, career pages, and other student-facing web content.
This is not a developmental or junior editing position. We're looking for seasoned editors who can work independently, exercise sound editorial judgment, identify factual inaccuracies, and ensure content is publication-ready with minimal oversight.
What You'll Be Doing
  • Edit, proofread, and fact-check high volumes of SEO articles, web pages, FAQs, and other digital content.
  • Review content for grammar, clarity, consistency, readability, and adherence to brand voice.
  • Verify facts by referencing university websites, academic program information, and approved source materials.
  • Identify inconsistencies, inaccuracies, missing information, or unsupported claims before publication.
  • Apply AP Style and internal editorial standards across multiple university brands.
  • Ensure content complies with legal, regulatory, and university guidelines, escalating content that may require legal review.
  • Review AI-assisted content to ensure accuracy, originality, and appropriate tone-never relying solely on AI-generated output.
  • Collaborate with writers, project managers, and stakeholders to resolve editorial issues and maintain production schedules.
  • Meet aggressive deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and editorial quality.

What We're Looking For
  • 5+ years of professional editing experience in marketing, publishing, digital content, higher education, healthcare, or similar industries.
  • Strong experience editing both long-form articles and website content.
  • Exceptional proofreading and copyediting skills with expert knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and style.
  • Strong fact-checking abilities and a demonstrated critical-thinking mindset.
  • Ability to identify content that requires additional review or legal/compliance approval.
  • Comfortable editing AI-assisted content while ensuring accuracy and quality.
  • Experience working within high-volume editorial environments with multiple concurrent deadlines.
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Experience with AP Style and editorial style guides.
  • Higher education, healthcare, or research-heavy content experience is strongly preferred.
  • Familiarity with Workfront or similar project management platforms is a plus.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an experienced editor who enjoys improving content quality through careful review rather than creating content from scratch. They are naturally detail-oriented, ask thoughtful questions, verify information before publishing, and can quickly spot inconsistencies others miss. They thrive in fast-paced production environments and are comfortable editing both SEO-focused articles and customer-facing website content while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and brand standards.
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