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Developmental Editor Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

National Safety Council

Learning Content Editor

Itasca, IL · On-site +1

$70K - $75K/yr

Maintain, update, and implement the Training Product Development style guide. * Establish editorial ... Experience editing across multiple formats, including digital, print, and multimedia scripts.

New

Sourcebooks

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.

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.

Fastmarkets

Non Ferrous Editor Americas

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

The regional editor implements the broader Fastmarkets growth strategies, working with the ... Adopt and drive the LEAP (Launch, Elevate, Attack, Protect) approach to price development and ...

American

Data Journalism Editor, IRW

Campus, IL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

The Data Editor works withother editorsand internsand graduate fellowson data collection, data ... Web development, especially news applications and data visualization tools. Other Duties:

WFMT

WFMT Digital Writer/Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

... Writer/Editor to lead the creation and distribution of digital content across WFMT.com and ... basic web development concepts • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Audition;

WTTW

WFMT Digital Writer/Editor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57K - $65K/yr

... Writer/Editor to lead the creation and distribution of digital content across WFMT.com and ... basic web development concepts • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Audition;

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All JobsDevelopmental Editor JobsDevelopmental Editor Jobs in Illinois

Developmental Editor information

See Illinois salary details

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How much do developmental editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 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?

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 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 $63,692 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Learning Content Editor

National Safety Council

Itasca, IL • On-site, Remote

$70K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Save lives, from the workplace to anyplace.
The National Safety Council is America's leading nonprofit safety advocate. We focus on eliminating the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. Through leadership, research, education, and advocacy, NSC focuses on areas where most unintentional injuries and deaths occur.
We are currently looking for a Learning Content Editorto join us in our mission to save lives and prevent injuries.
Position Highlights:
The Learning Content Editor is responsible for ensuring the clarity, accuracy, consistency, and overall quality of all written content produced by the Training Product Development team. This role oversees the final editorial review of all learning materials, digital and print, and ensures they adhere to organizational tone, brand standards, and training-specific style conventions.
The Learning Content Editor will maintain and evolve the department's style guide, establish editorial processes, and work collaboratively with instructional designers and subject matter experts to produce polished, publication-ready materials. This person will work cross-functionally with communications to ensure the department's style guide is aligned with the larger organization's style guide.
The role also plays a key part in the print production lifecycle by preparing manuscripts, managing edits, and ensuring the quality of final print books and supporting materials.
What You'll Own:
Editorial Review & Quality Assurance
  • Serve as the final editorial reviewer for all training content, including eLearning content, instructor-led training materials, assessments, workbooks, and print publications.
  • Edit for grammar, clarity, accuracy, tone, and learner-appropriate language.
  • Ensure content meets organizational standards for readability, structure, and accessibility.

Style Guide Ownership & Consistency
  • Maintain, update, and implement the Training Product Development style guide.
  • Establish editorial standards that support consistency across all learning modalities.
  • Guide team members on the use of style guidelines and editorial best practices.

Print Production & Manuscript Preparation
  • Prepare final manuscripts for print production, ensuring formatting accuracy and alignment with design templates.
  • Collaborate with designers on layout reviews, pagination, captions, tables, callouts, and other print-specific elements.
  • Review and approve print proofs, working with internal teams and external vendors as needed.

Collaboration & Workflow Management
  • Work closely with instructional designers, graphic designers, project managers, and subject matter experts to ensure content accuracy and consistency.
  • Manage editorial timelines and coordinate reviews to meet production deadlines.
  • Maintain organized version control, track revisions, and ensure content integrity throughout the development lifecycle.
We're Looking for Someone with:
  • Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Technical Writing, or related field, and at least four years of related experience or equivalent experience.
  • Demonstrated experience editing instructional, educational, technical, or professional learning content.
  • Strong command of grammar, syntax, and editorial style conventions (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style or similar).
  • Exceptional attention to detail and ability to maintain consistency across large volumes of content.
  • Experience editing across multiple formats, including digital, print, and multimedia scripts.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Experience in association, nonprofit, or training product environments.
  • Familiarity with learning design terminology and adult learning concepts.
  • Experience preparing manuscripts for print production (e.g., working with InDesign, reviewing proofs).
  • Knowledge of accessibility standards for written content (WCAG 2.3 AA).
  • This is a remote position.
  • Salary range: $70,000 to $75,000.
Reasons You'll Love it here:
NSC cares about the safety, health, and overall well-being of our employees. We offer competitive benefits, resources, and tools to promote a work-life balance that supports employees during all phases of life. We offer the following:
  • At least 20 PTO days accrued 1st year and 11 paid holidays
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
  • Flex spending accounts for medical and dependent care
  • 403(b) & Roth 403(b) with employer match up to 6%
  • Reimbursable training
  • Dress for your day

Our hiring process is designed to give you the opportunity to shine at each step. It starts with an assessment where you really showcase your drive for the role. From there, candidates selected for the first interview will discuss their skills and how they fit with our team. If you're a match, the second interview takes a deeper dive into your background and how you can contribute to our goals. After that, we'll make our final decision and let you know the outcome. This is our usual process, and we're excited to get to know you along the way!
NSC is a Recovery-Friendly Workplace.
We support individuals in or seeking recovery from substance use disorder by fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and support. We provide access to confidential resources, reasonable accommodations, and a work environment that values your journey and contributions.
NSC is an equal opportunity employer.

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