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Freelancer Editor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

May coordinate freelance activities in the unit, including finding and coordinating work among ... Advises staff and authors on editing and publishing options. Holds meetings to discuss current and ...

The Beauty Editor will oversee the weekly Beauty Edit newsletter, represent the brand at beauty ... Maintaining and commissioning a pool of freelancers * Work across our other content pillars ...

This editor will be expected to quickly turn around essays from contributing writers and freelancers. The ideal candidate will be a strong line editor who is creative and opportunistic about coverage ...

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Freelancer Editor information

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

To thrive as a Freelancer Editor, you need excellent language proficiency, attention to detail, and a strong grasp of grammar, style, and punctuation, often supported by a degree in English, journalism, or communications. Familiarity with editing software such as Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word's Track Changes, and style guides like APA or Chicago Manual of Style is typically required. Strong time management, communication, and client collaboration skills help editors stand out in a competitive freelance market. These abilities ensure high-quality deliverables, client satisfaction, and the ability to meet deadlines in a flexible and remote work environment.

How do Freelancer Editors typically manage client expectations and project deadlines when working with multiple clients?

Freelancer Editors often juggle several projects at once, making strong communication and organizational skills essential. They usually set clear expectations upfront by outlining timelines, deliverables, and revision policies in contracts or emails. Regular check-ins and progress updates help maintain transparency with clients and allow for early identification of potential delays or changes. Most editors use project management tools or calendars to track deadlines and prioritize tasks, ensuring high-quality work is delivered on time.

What is the difference between Freelancer Editor vs Content Writer?

AspectFreelancer EditorContent Writer
Required CredentialsEditing certifications, strong language skillsWriting samples, degree in English or related field
Work EnvironmentRemote, project-based, freelanceRemote or in-house, content creation focus
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance clients, publishing, marketingMedia companies, blogs, marketing agencies

Freelancer Editors primarily focus on refining and improving existing content, ensuring clarity, grammar, and style. Content Writers create original content from scratch, emphasizing research and storytelling. While both roles require strong language skills, their core tasks differ, making them distinct but complementary roles in content production.

What does a freelancer editor do?

A freelancer editor reviews and improves written content for clients on a contract or project basis rather than as a full-time employee. Their responsibilities can include correcting grammar and spelling, restructuring sentences, enhancing clarity, and ensuring consistency with style guides. Freelance editors work on a variety of materials such as books, articles, websites, and marketing materials, often collaborating remotely with writers or publishers. They may also offer specialized editing services such as copyediting, proofreading, or substantive editing depending on the needs of each project.
What are popular job titles related to Freelancer Editor jobs in Washington? For Freelancer Editor jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelancer Editor jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Freelancer Editor jobs in Washington are:
Infographic showing various Freelancer Editor job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution.
Editor

$73K - $92K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job Description Summary:
Edits text and graphics for publication, including articles, manuscripts, reports, websites, journals, magazines, and/or brochures. Reads and evaluates reports and/or other materials and documents to determine the extent of editorial problems and shortcomings. Looks for inconsistencies of thought, development, or organization. Confers with authors and recommends treatment of material. Reorganizes, cuts, or rewrites as necessary. Ensures material conforms to organization's and unit's standards for style, content, and format. Works with editorial and production staff and contractors to guide manuscripts through to publication. May contribute original material where appropriate, writing about topics for a variety of audiences in multiple media formats.
Incumbent independently performs complex editing and writing tasks. Under general direction, applies specific professional-level functional knowledge to solve complex problems and has authority to deviate from standard practices, but must advise superiors of such action as well as non-routine matters. May hire, train, supervise, and evaluate support staff or serve in a lead capacity.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
  • Edits reports, articles, etc. and may help to shape presentation, restructuring and rewriting as needed. Marks up for composition. Ensures material conforms to organization's and unit's standards for style, content, accessibility, and format. Works with designers, graphic artists, layout specialists, web developers, marketing, and production staff on all aspects of production.
  • Negotiates revisions with authors. May network with prospective authors, scientific advisers, and news media.
  • Advises staff and authors on editing and publishing options. Holds meetings to discuss current and future projects. Answers editorial questions. Consults with staff about the progress of reports, articles, or other publications.
  • May have supervisory responsibility for editorial assistants, including hiring, training, and evaluation of work.
  • May coordinate freelance activities in the unit, including finding and coordinating work among freelancers.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
  • Related duties and special projects as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
Edits reports, articles, etc. and may help to shape presentation, restructuring and rewriting as needed. Marks up for composition. Ensures material conforms to organization's and unit's standards for style, content, accessibility, and format. Works with designers, graphic artists, layout specialists, web developers, marketing, and production staff on all aspects of production. Negotiates revisions with authors. May network with prospective authors, scientific advisers, and news media. Advises staff and authors on editing and publishing options. Holds meetings to discuss current and future projects. Answers editorial questions. Consults with staff about the progress of reports, articles, or other publications. May have supervisory responsibility for editorial assistants, including hiring, training, and evaluation of work. May coordinate freelance activities in the unit, including finding and coordinating work among freelancers.
NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
  • Related duties and special projects as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Proficiency in Microsoft Word (including track changes and styles). Practical knowledge of WordPress or other content management system, HTML, and CSS desired. Ability to solve problems of variety and complexity. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of problems and issues. Ability to operate independently and exercise appreciable latitude for independent judgment, discretion, and action. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees.
Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field, or equivalent knowledge.
Minimum Experience: Three years of related professional experience.
Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Director or other higher level editorial position. General supervision is provided. May supervise junior staff.
Compensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $73,760 - $92,190. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click here.
Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.
Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units
Job Family:
PUBL
Employee Type:
Employee
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
37.5
City/State:
Washington, District of Columbia