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Freelance Editing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mocean

FREELANCE ASSISTANT EDITOR

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Mocean is hiring a freelance Assistant Editor to support our Social team. This is an entry-level ... Take on light editing assignments as you grow into the role * Prepare exports and deliveries across ...

MOCEAN

FREELANCE ASSISTANT EDITOR

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

Description Mocean is hiring a freelance Assistant Editor to support our Social team. This is an ... Take on light editing assignments as you grow into the role * Prepare exports and deliveries across ...

Paramount

FREELANCE EDITOR

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Ability to work with Grass Valley Edius editing system a preferred. Editor must be a creative and poised team player who can juggle multiple projects at once. Candidate must be flexible with work ...

Paramount

FREELANCE EDITOR

San Francisco, CA

Ability to work with Grass Valley Edius editing system a preferred. Editor must be a creative and poised team player who can juggle multiple projects at once. Candidate must be flexible with work ...

ZEALOT

Freelance Assistant Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Freelance Assistant Editor ZEALOT is a powerhouse of creativity and innovation in entertainment marketing with a rich history of crafting compelling trailers, TV spots, and digital campaigns for some ...

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Freelance Editing information

See California salary details

$14

$47

$130

How much do freelance editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance editing in California is $47.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.94 and $60.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are freelance editing jobs?

Freelance editing jobs include those in the publishing industry, such as for newspapers or magazines, as well as jobs in TV, film, and photography. Common job titles include freelance video editor, freelance photo editor, freelance copy editor, and proofreader. Your duties and responsibilities for these different jobs vary. For example, as a video editor, you work with directors or producers to edit raw footage for TV or film, commercials, or promotional content. Photo editors touch up digital and traditional photographs for print advertisements, private clients, and their own personal work. Copy editors review and revise content to ensure it is grammatically correct and factually accurate.

What is freelance editing?

Freelance editing is the process of providing editing services on a contract or project basis, rather than working as a full-time, in-house editor for a single company. Freelance editors work with a variety of clients such as authors, publishers, businesses, and students to review and refine written content. Their tasks may include proofreading, copyediting, substantive editing, and sometimes offering feedback on structure and clarity. Freelance editors have the flexibility to choose their projects, set their own schedules, and often work remotely. This career path requires strong language skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

What are some common challenges freelance editors face when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Freelance editors often juggle multiple projects from various clients, which can make time management and meeting diverse expectations challenging. Each client may have different style guides, turnaround times, and communication preferences, requiring editors to be adaptable and organized. To succeed, it's important to establish clear deadlines, maintain detailed project notes, and communicate proactively to avoid misunderstandings. Setting boundaries and using project management tools can also help ensure high-quality work is delivered on time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Editor, you need excellent command of language, grammar, and style, often supported by a degree in English, journalism, or related fields. Familiarity with editing software such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and style guides like APA or Chicago Manual is typically required. Strong communication, time management, and attention to detail are essential soft skills for managing client relationships and multiple projects. These skills ensure high-quality, error-free content and foster client satisfaction and repeat business in a competitive market.

What is the difference between Freelance Editing vs Content Writer?

AspectFreelance EditingContent Writer
CredentialsOften requires editing certifications, writing samplesTypically requires strong writing skills, portfolio
Work EnvironmentRemote, freelance basis, client projectsRemote or in-house, creating original content
Employer/Industry UsageUsed by publishing, marketing, mediaUsed in marketing, media, publishing
Search/Comparison IntentOften compared for editing vs writing rolesOften compared for writing vs editing roles

Freelance editing focuses on refining and improving existing content, requiring editing skills and certifications. Content writers create original material, emphasizing strong writing abilities. Both roles are remote, freelance or in-house, and widely used in media and marketing industries. Understanding these differences helps clients and professionals choose the right path based on skills and project needs.

More about Freelance Editing jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Editing jobs in California? The most popular types of Editing jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Editing jobs in California? For Freelance Editing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Editing jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Editing jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Freelance Editing jobs? Cities in California with the most Freelance Editing job openings:
Freelance Editing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Editing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 67% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,931 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Hiring Freelance Academic Editors

Crimson Interactive

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Crimson Interactive is an ISO-certified organization (ISO 9001:2008) providing Japanese and English language solutions to customers globally. Our brands deliver services in three professional areas:
• Editing (www.enago.com)
• Translation (www.ulatus.com)
• Transcription (www.voxtab.com)
Since our inception in 2005, we have moved from strength to strength and now have a team of several hundred translators operating all over the globe. We also successfully partnered with Japan's largest Academic Publisher, Maruzen, and the second largest publisher in the world, Dai Nippon Publishing (DNP), for their editorial and translation needs.
Crimson is a company where cultures across boundaries thrive together. We have Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Taiwanese, and Indians working for a common objective. We have clients in various geographies-Japan, China, Taiwan, Germany, Korea, the US, UK, etc.
Please do visit http://www.crimsoni.com/crimson-videos.htm to watch some videos about "Life at Crimson" and "Expats working at Crimson".
Job Description
.Job description
We are looking for experienced copy editors & substantive editors in Physics, Engineering and Medicine with a core academic background.
Qualities we look for in our freelance editors:
  • Proficiency and competence in the most widely spoken language across the world-English!
  • Knack for diligently editing, restructuring, and polishing articles written by non-native speakers, with least 5 years of relevant copyediting/academic editing experience
  • Extensive subject matter expertise

We prefer editor profiles that reflect
  • Research experience (studies conducted, papers written/published, papers reviewed, etc.)
  • Certificate/experience in academic editing, publishing, scientific communication, and journal article writing
  • Extensive experience in editing ESL (English as a Second Language) manuscripts
  • Knowledge of the style (such as APA, CMS, AMA, CSE, IEEE) and conventions followed in academic writing
  • Member of acclaimed editing and publishing associations such as EFA, EASE, BELS

A glimpse at what you would edit:
You will be assigned papers of varying difficulty levels (in terms of English, subject matter expertise, and the extent of revision needed) written by non-native speakers in either English or their native language (translated papers). These papers written by what we believe constitute an eclectic group of authors and writers, i.e., we receive work from not only scientists, researchers, and students but also corporates, linguists, and the common man trying to communicate in English--from the latest in cutting-edge technology to the timeless fascination with history and arts!
Our freelance editors should ensure:
  • Immaculate grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and word choice
  • Flow, transition, correct terminology, correctness of content, and coherence
  • Appropriate manuscript format* that conforms to academic conventions in terms of citation style, layout, section headings, and tense usage
  • Preservation of the author's intended meaning even in papers where the content requires extensive revision *Freelance editors also thoroughly format the manuscript as per mentioned journal guidelines when clients opt for our journal formatting service.

Enago will ensure
  • Possibility of a guaranteed monthly income while freelancing:Apart from offering work in the typical freelancing manner, we also offer opportunities that guarantee a minimum monthly/annual income, along with the possibility of an additional annual bonus (monetary), based on your performance.
  • A smooth performance-driven progression curve with an effective feedback mechanism: This ensures that the expectation mismatch is nearly zero. In the past, the strong professional bonding with our freelance editors has also led to mutual recommendations-a definite plus factor!
  • A rewarding experience, both monetarily and intellectually: You will get the opportunity to apply your domain knowledge and skills to help non-native authors present their work to the world through esteemed journals and renowned conferences, with the flexibility of timings dedicated to editing.

Qualifications
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Apply