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Freelance Editor Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Editor-Code

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$40K - $42K/yr

The primary focus of this position is to work independently reviewing, organizing and editing legislation and working with municipal clients in the preparation of new Codes. Essential Functions:

Freelance Editor information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$11

$31

$56

How much do freelance editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance editor in Rochester, NY is $31.18, 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 does a freelance editor do?

A freelance editor reviews and improves written content for clients, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency. Their tasks can include correcting grammar and spelling, restructuring sentences, providing feedback on style and tone, and sometimes fact-checking or formatting documents. Freelance editors work independently, often taking on projects ranging from books and articles to marketing materials and academic papers. They communicate directly with clients to understand project requirements and deliver polished, publication-ready text.

What does a freelance editor do?

The responsibilities of a freelance editor involve working to write or source copy for a client. Your duties in this career usually include ensuring that the spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct, and that the text meets the style guidelines and quality standards of the client. Depending on the type of work, you may add images or other content and publish the work on a website. As a freelance editor, you may need to publish samples or a portfolio of past work to attract clients. Freelance editors usually work with multiple clients at the same time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance editor?

To thrive as a Freelance Editor, you need excellent language proficiency, strong attention to detail, and experience with editing styles, often backed by a degree in English, journalism, or communications. Familiarity with editing software like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and tools such as Grammarly or Adobe Acrobat is typically required. Outstanding communication, time management, and adaptability help editors effectively collaborate with clients and manage multiple projects. These skills and tools are crucial for delivering high-quality, error-free work on deadline in a competitive, client-driven environment.

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

Freelance editors often juggle several projects with different deadlines and editorial standards, which can make time management a significant challenge. Balancing communication with clients, understanding their unique expectations, and handling revisions efficiently are key aspects of the job. Staying organized with project management tools and setting clear boundaries regarding availability and turnaround times can help editors deliver high-quality work without becoming overwhelmed. Building strong relationships through clear communication also helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures repeat business.

What is the difference between Freelance Editor vs Content Writer?

AspectFreelance EditorContent Writer
CredentialsEditing certifications, strong language skillsWriting samples, strong language skills
Work EnvironmentRemote, project-based, client-specificRemote, freelance or in-house, client or company projects
Industry UsagePublishing, media, marketingMarketing, blogging, media, corporate communication
Search & Comparison IntentEditing skills, proofreading, content refinementWriting skills, content creation, storytelling

While both Freelance Editors and Content Writers work remotely and require strong language skills, editors focus on refining and improving existing content, ensuring accuracy and clarity. Content Writers primarily create original content from scratch. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right professional for their project needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Editor jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Editor jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Editor jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Freelance Editor jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Editor jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Editor jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Freelance Editor jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Freelance Editor job openings:

Infographic showing various Freelance Editor job openings in Rochester, NY as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, and 35% Contract. Highlights an 59% In-person, and 41% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,851 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Editor-Code

Rochester, NY โ€ข On-site

General Code
Print Media Publishingย โ€ขย 51 - 200 employees

$40K - $42K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Department: Codification Operations
Location: Rochester, NY
Reports To: Editorial Team Manager
FLSA Code: Non-Exempt
Company Summary: The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes, standards, and building safety solutions. This includes product evaluation, accreditation, technology, training, and certification. ICC Codes, Standards, and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide. While our roots are firmly planted in the development of the Codes and Standards, our growth allows us to offer many more services to support our Codes and Standards.
Subsidiary Summary: General Code is the nation's leading provider of Municipal Code publishing and maintenance services (codification). Our passion for excellence, our focus on client service, and an ongoing investment in our people and technology have helped us to revolutionize the codification industry. General Code offers challenging work in a diverse, flexible, supportive environment where an appropriate work-life balance is emphasized. The successful applicant for this position will demonstrate keen desire to have a meaningful impact in a values-based, team-oriented business environment.
Position Summary:
The primary focus of this position is to work independently reviewing, organizing and editing legislation and working with municipal clients in the preparation of new Codes.
Essential Functions:
  • Clarify project deliverables with client and negotiate changes as necessary
  • Plan project to most efficiently meet client needs and project budgets
  • Perform regular client management and milestone follow up for assigned project milestones
  • Communicate schedules and timelines, internal and external
  • Read client notes (contract, CIP, CRM, etc.), memos, letters, etc., for background on client and special instructions or needs, and create project notes as applicable
  • Determine impact of legislation on Code
  • Communicate to other functions any pertinent information needed for the project
  • Communicate with clients via phone, written contact, teleconference and on-site visits, as needed
  • Resolve conflicts and solve problems
  • Edit-Copyread
  • Review Proposed Table of Contents, Disposition Lists and Derivation Tables and make necessary modifications
  • Ensure accuracy of amendment insertion and histories
  • Create or revise effective section titles
  • Edit content for style, including statutory citations, grammar and internal conflicts
  • Check, create or revise cross-references in the text
  • Check statutory references in new legislation
  • Add editor's notes
  • Identify missing wording in the text of legislation
  • Prepare Draft questions to submit to client
  • Finalize Codes for publication, including Disposition List and Derivation Table, as applicable
  • Create Adopting Ordinances and supporting documents
  • Client decision implementation (ATAC)
  • Implement report decisions and track with historical notation (ATAC)
  • Create Schedule A to track substantive revisions

Secondary Functions:
  • Editorial and Legal Analysis (A2)
  • Ensure accuracy of manuscript histories and amendment insertion
  • Compare legislation to state statute and other legislation to identify conflicts, inconsistencies and duplications
  • Review fees and penalties, and missing information
  • Prepare Editorial and Legal Analysis questions for client review
  • Facilitate editorial conferences, including on-site, as necessary
  • Review and triage client decisions to create instructions and a roadmap for Editorial Assistants to execute
  • Organizational Analysis (A1)
  • Review sort of legislation and finalize organization
  • Analyze and identify issues related to the organization of the legislation
  • Identify missing legislation and information
  • Identify obsolete material
  • Prepare Organizational Analysis report and proposed Table of Contents for client review

Requirements
Essential Skills and Education/Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree or demonstrated equivalent experience/skills
  • Ability to interact with others and to communicate clearly the expectations and instructions for carrying out project requirements
  • Demonstrated project management skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects successfully
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skill
  • Strong customer service acumen
  • Excellent reading comprehension
  • Excellent memory
  • Attentiveness to detail
  • Organized thinking patterns
  • Good organizational and time management skills
  • Good overall knowledge of MS Office Applications, including file management through Windows Explorer.

Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer or desk
  • Occasional standing, walking, and reaching to access files or office supplies
  • Manual dexterity for typing, filing, and handling office equipment
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, documents)
  • Visual acuity to read printed and digital materials
  • Auditory ability to communicate effectively in person and over the phone
  • May need to climb stairs in multi-level office building

Environmental Conditions:
  • Indoor and Outdoor Environment
  • Must be able to work in standard office environment with artificial lighting and climate control

Salary Description
40,000 to 42,000