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Freelance Science Copy Editor Jobs in California

AKQA

Freelance Senior Copywriter

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$2.6K - $3.4K/wk

At AKQA (part of WPP), we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create ... Write clear, purposeful, and on-brand copy across digital product surfaces, including UX content ...

Abbott

Head of Copy

Alameda, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

... scientists. The Opportunity Lingo is redefining how people understand and engage with their own ... Manage and brief external creative partners - agencies, freelance writers, content studios ...

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Freelance Science Copy Editor information

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$46

How much do freelance science copy editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance science copy editor in California is $28.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.83 and $31.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a freelance science copy editor do?

A Freelance Science Copy Editor reviews and edits scientific manuscripts, articles, and other materials to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to style guides. They work with scientists, researchers, and publishers to correct grammar, formatting, and scientific terminology while preserving the author's intended meaning. Their work helps improve the quality and readability of scientific content before publication.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance science copy editors, and how can they be managed effectively?

Freelance science copy editors often encounter challenges such as managing varying client expectations, handling highly technical content outside their specialty, and balancing multiple deadlines. To address these, it's helpful to communicate clearly with clients about project scope and timelines, continuously update your subject knowledge, and use organizational tools to track assignments. Networking with other editors and participating in professional development can also provide support and resources for overcoming complex editing tasks.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Science Copy Editor, you need strong scientific literacy, meticulous attention to detail, and a solid understanding of grammar and style, often supported by an advanced degree in science or English. Familiarity with editorial tools such as Microsoft Word's Track Changes, citation management software, and style guides like AMA or APA is typically required. Excellent time management, communication skills, and the ability to provide constructive feedback help you stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring scientific accuracy, clarity, and consistency in published materials, directly impacting the credibility and readability of scientific content.

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Science Copy Editor jobs in California?

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Freelance Science Copy Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Science Copy Editor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,026 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Hiring Freelance Academic Editors

Crimson Interactive

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 13 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