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Freelance Copy Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Penske Media Corp.

Artforum: Associate Editor

New York, NY · On-site

$66K - $70K/yr

In addition to commissioning and editing short- and long-form content from staff and freelance ... Drafting copy for social media and newsletters A good faith estimate of the salary range is $66,500 ...

Community Impact

Editor - Spring/Klein

Houston, TX · On-site

$58K/yr

... freelance writers, photographers and interns, as applicable. * Generate original story ideas and ... Ability to pass the company's writing and copy editing tests * First-rate reporting, writing and ...

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

$88K - $121K/yr

Performs substantive editing and copy editing, conferring with authors on treatment of material ... freelance editors. 5. Guides freelance editors and/or staff on editing and publishing options.

VML

Senior Medical Editor - Freelance

New York, NY · On-site

$75 - $100/hr

As a Senior Medical Editor- Freelance you will manage all editorial requirements of assigned ... Copy edit and proofread various types of medical communication materials for syntax/grammar ...

Condé Nast

Staff Editor

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... freelance contributors, and more. * Proactively seek out interesting, diverse voices who can help ... and copy queries; seeing stories through production processes; and partnering with social and/or ...

Condé Nast

Staff Editor

San Francisco, CA

$80K - $105K/yr

... freelance contributors, and more. * Proactively seek out interesting, diverse voices who can help ... and copy queries; seeing stories through production processes; and partnering with social and/or ...

VML

Medical Editor - Freelance

New York, NY · On-site

$55/hr

As a Medical Editor - Freelance you will manage all editorial requirements of assigned projects and ... Copy edit and proofread various types of medical communication materials for syntax/grammar ...

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How much do freelance copy editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance copy editor in the United States is $28.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.12 and $31.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Copy Editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Copy Editor, you need a strong command of grammar, spelling, and style, often supported by a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with editing tools like Microsoft Word (Track Changes), Google Docs, and style guides such as AP or Chicago Manual of Style is essential. Attention to detail, time management, and effective communication with clients are vital soft skills for success. These skills and qualifications ensure accuracy, consistency, and client satisfaction in a competitive and deadline-driven environment.

What is a freelance copy editor?

A freelance copy editor is a professional who works independently to review and improve written content for clarity, grammar, punctuation, style, and consistency. They may work on a variety of materials, such as articles, books, websites, or marketing materials, for different clients rather than being employed by a single organization. Freelance copy editors often manage their own schedules, choose their projects, and set their rates, making flexibility a key aspect of the role.

What Does a Freelance Copy Editor Do?

As a freelance copy editor, your job is to review spelling, grammar, and previous editing of a piece of content. Content can range from small pieces of less than two hundred words to complete books or manuscripts. Some freelance copy editors focus on particular types of content, such as medical content or the format of textbooks. In this role, you may proofread significant amounts of content each day, extrapolate the overall quality of work from a sample of it, and communicate with other editors to explain how much content needs to change. Some freelance copy editors edit the same material through several drafts, so the ability to remain focused while reviewing similar content is essential to your success.

What are some common challenges freelance copy editors face when managing multiple clients?

Freelance copy editors often juggle projects from various clients, which can lead to challenges like conflicting deadlines, varying editorial styles, and fluctuating workloads. Effective time management and clear communication are crucial to ensure each project meets its deadline and quality standards. Staying organized, using project management tools, and setting clear expectations with clients can help mitigate these challenges and build long-term professional relationships.

What is the difference between Freelance Copy Editor vs Freelance Proofreader?

AspectFreelance Copy EditorFreelance Proofreader
CredentialsTypically requires editing certifications or strong language skillsFocuses on grammar and spelling, less formal credentials needed
Work EnvironmentRemote, project-based, often involves editing draftsRemote, reviews final texts for errors
Industry UsageUsed across publishing, marketing, corporate contentCommon in publishing, journalism, and content production
Search & ComparisonOften compared for editing depth and scopeCompared for final error checking skills

Freelance Copy Editors and Freelance Proofreaders both work remotely and focus on language quality. Copy editors typically handle more in-depth editing, including style and structure, while proofreaders focus on catching grammatical and typographical errors in final drafts. Understanding these differences helps clients choose the right professional for their project needs.

More about Freelance Copy Editor jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Copy Editor jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Copy Editor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Copy Editor jobs? The most popular types of Copy Editor jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Copy Editor jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Copy Editor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Copy Editor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Copy Editor jobs are:
Freelance Copy Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Copy Editor job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Part Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,809 per year, or $28.8 per hour.
From Pitch to Print: We're Looking for an Associate Editor

From Pitch to Print: We're Looking for an Associate Editor

The Miami Times

Miami, FL • On-site

$35 - $40/hr

Contractor

Posted 14 days ago

Job description


The Biscayne Times is seeking a newsroom-minded Assignment & Production Editor (Contractor) to help run the monthly editorial pipeline and guide each issue across the finish line. This is a coordination-first role with real ownership: keeping assignments moving, wrangling freelancers, strengthening drafts before copy edit, and partnering with design to close the issue on deadline.


About The Biscayne Times

The Biscayne Times is a trusted community newspaper serving Miami's neighborhoods with local journalism that matters. We cover the people, places, culture, and decisions shaping our communities-along with accountability reporting that keeps local institutions honest. Our readers rely on us for hyperlocal news, civic affairs, development, business profiles, arts and culture, and enterprise stories across areas including Edgewater, Wynwood, the Upper East Side, and beyond.


What You'll Do

Assignment desk + workflow ownership

  • Work closely with the Publisher to shape the monthly editorial plan and coverage priorities
  • Assign and track stories from pitch to publish, keeping writers aligned on scope and deadlines
  • Lead collaborative story-planning conversations with staff and freelancers to generate strong hyperlocal ideas

Editing + quality control

  • Review and line-edit all content prior to copy editing (clarity, structure, voice, accuracy, and flow)
  • Ensure stories meet editorial standards for fairness, sourcing, and local relevance
  • From time to time, contribute high-value stories, features, or opinion pieces as needed

Team coordination + production close

  • Oversee our staff writer and coordinate a small team of contributors and freelance writers
  • Recruit and onboard new freelance writers periodically to meet evolving editorial needs
  • Work closely with the graphic design team to support final page production and a clean handoff to print
  • Keep the issue on track and help ensure we consistently meet monthly print deadlines

Community relationships

  • Build and maintain working relationships with elected officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders to support reporting and advance the publication's editorial mission

Required Skills

  • 3+ years experience editing in a newsroom or news publishing environment (community/local strongly preferred)
  • Strong news judgment and comfort shaping angles, tightening structure, and elevating clarity fast
  • Excellent line-editing skills and attention to detail
  • Solid command of AP Style (and ability to enforce consistent house style)
  • Proven ability to manage writers and freelancers with clear feedback and steady follow-through
  • Comfortable working with print workflows and collaborating with designers toward page close
  • Organized, deadline-driven, and calm under pressure-especially during the final week of production


Nice to Have

  • Familiarity with Miami neighborhoods, civic issues, and local government
  • Spanish proficiency
  • Experience with CMS tools and basic editorial workflow systems

Contract Details

  • Contractor role (1099)
  • Rate: $35-$40/hour based on experience and qualifications
  • Time commitment: Not to exceed 65 hours per month
  • Workload is typically lighter early in the month and ramps up approaching the end-of-the-month print deadline
  • Remote-friendly; some in-person coordination may be requested depending on the month/needs
  • Immediate opening


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About The Biscayne Times

The Biscayne Times is a trusted monthly community newspaper serving Miami's neighborhoods with local journalism that matters. We cover the people, places, culture, and decisions shaping our communities-along with accountability reporting that keeps local institutions honest. Our readers rely on us for hyperlocal news, civic affairs, development, business profiles, arts and culture, and enterprise stories across areas including Edgewater, Wynwood, the Upper East Side, and beyond.

Apply