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Professional Editing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Editor

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$98K/yr

Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a related field. * 3+ years of professional editing or writing experience for Mid-Level roles. * 6+ years of professional editing or ...

New

Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a related field. * 3+ years of professional editing or writing experience for Mid-Level roles. * 6+ years of professional editing or ...

New

Editor

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$100K/yr

Fluent with professional editing software. (Premiere is preferred but not essential.) * Contribute creative ideas to projects. * Use creative judgment and creative problem-solving skills.

Bachelor's degree in Video Production, Film, Television, or a related field and 2 years of professional editing experience OR 4 years of professional editing experience * A collaborative mindset and ...

Strong video editing skills and experience with professional editing software * Ability to work quickly while maintaining high creative quality * Strong storytelling and creative thinking skills

Experience: 3 years professional editing experience. 1 year of experience in editing fiction. * Skills: Excellent copyediting skills. Basic understanding of quantitative reasoning. * Interests: Keen ...

VIDEO EDITOR

Brownsville, TX ยท On-site

$19/hr

Strong video editing skills and experience with professional editing software * Ability to work quickly while maintaining high creative quality * Strong storytelling and creative thinking skills

Strong video editing skills and experience with professional editing software * Ability to work quickly while maintaining high creative quality * Strong storytelling and creative thinking skills

Approximately 3 - 5+ years of professional editing experience across documentary, commercial, branded, narrative, or related content environments * A portfolio or reel demonstrating strong ...

Strong video editing skills and experience with professional editing software * Ability to work quickly while maintaining high creative quality * Strong storytelling and creative thinking skills

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Professional Editing information

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How much do professional editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional editing in the United States is $31.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $39.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs make $10,000 a month without a degree?

In professional editing, high earnings of $10,000 or more per month are uncommon without significant experience, specialization, or a strong client base. Freelance editors or those working in niche markets like technical or legal editing can reach high income levels, especially with advanced skills and a robust portfolio. However, most editing roles typically require relevant training or experience to achieve such income levels consistently.

How much do professional editors get paid?

Professional editors typically earn between $25 and $75 per hour, depending on experience, specialization, and the complexity of the work. Salaries for full-time editors range from approximately $40,000 to $80,000 annually, with freelance editors often setting their own rates based on project scope and deadlines.

How do professional editors typically collaborate with writers and other stakeholders throughout a project?

Professional editors often work closely with writers, subject-matter experts, and sometimes designers or project managers during the editing process. Regular communication is key, as editors provide feedback, clarify intent, and ensure the content meets style and quality standards. Collaboration tools such as tracked changes in documents and project management platforms are commonly used to facilitate transparent revisions and feedback cycles. Editors also balance multiple deadlines and priorities, making organizational skills essential for successful teamwork.

What is professional editing?

Professional editing is the process of reviewing, revising, and refining written content to improve its clarity, accuracy, structure, and overall quality. Editors ensure that documents are grammatically correct, logically organized, and tailored to meet the needs of the intended audience. This process can involve various levels of editing, including proofreading, copyediting, and substantive editing, depending on the project's requirements. Professional editors work on a wide range of materials such as books, articles, reports, and marketing content. Their expertise helps writers present their ideas effectively and professionally.

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

To excel as a Professional Editor, you need exceptional language proficiency, a keen eye for detail, and a strong understanding of grammar and style guidelines, often supported by a relevant degree or editing certification. Familiarity with style manuals (such as AP, Chicago, or MLA), editing software (like Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word Track Changes), and content management systems is typically required. Strong communication, time management, and adaptability help editors collaborate effectively with writers and meet tight deadlines. These skills ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency in published materials, upholding quality standards and client expectations.

What is the difference between Professional Editing vs Copy Editing?

AspectProfessional EditingCopy Editing
CredentialsTypically requires editing certifications or degrees in editing, journalism, or related fieldsOften requires similar credentials, focusing on language and grammar expertise
Work EnvironmentWorks on manuscripts, articles, books, and digital content across various industriesFocuses on correcting grammar, punctuation, style, and consistency in texts
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by publishing houses, media companies, and freelance editorsCommonly employed by publishers, magazines, and online content creators

Professional editing involves comprehensive content review, including structure, clarity, and style, while copy editing primarily focuses on correcting language errors and ensuring consistency. Both roles require strong language skills and often overlap, but professional editing offers a broader scope of content refinement.

What is the highest paying editing job?

The highest paying editing jobs are often in executive or senior roles such as chief editor or director of editing, which can earn six-figure salaries. Specialized editors in technical, medical, or legal fields also tend to have higher compensation due to expertise requirements and certification needs.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the field of professional editing, high salaries reaching $500,000 annually are rare and typically associated with senior roles such as executive editors, publishing directors, or those working in specialized industries like legal or technical editing with extensive experience. Achieving this level often requires advanced skills, industry reputation, and leadership responsibilities, often combined with additional income sources like consulting or ownership stakes.
More about Professional Editing jobs
What cities are hiring for Professional Editing jobs? Cities with the most Professional Editing job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Editing jobs? The most popular types of Editing jobs are:
What states have the most Professional Editing jobs? States with the most job openings for Professional Editing jobs include:
Infographic showing various Professional Editing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 4% As Needed, 3% Full Time, 70% Part Time, 21% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,728 per year, or $31.6 per hour.
Editor

Editor

Heartland Consulting

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site

$98K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

About the Role

Deliver precise editing, writing, and quality oversight that ensures NGB and ANG leadership communications are clear, accurate, and impactful. This role supports high-stakes responses for external coordination while maintaining rigorous standards for classified and sensitive materials.

The Editor / Technical Writer will work closely with analysts, leadership, and staff action teams to refine content, improve document quality, and ensure final products meet required formatting, accuracy, and compliance standards.


Key Responsibilities
  • Edit, write, proofread, fact-check, index, and copy-edit documents and responses that articulate leadership decisions and document NGB/ANG positions and equities.

  • Maintain quality control and oversight of prepared and coordinated responses.

  • Support archiving and library management services to preserve institutional knowledge and improve document retrieval.

  • Provide executive-level document support for leadership communications, briefings, reports, memoranda, and official correspondence.

  • Assist with training materials, SOPs, process documentation, and related staff action products.

  • Ensure all products meet formatting, accuracy, grammar, style, and compliance standards.

  • Handle sensitive and classified information appropriately in accordance with applicable security requirements.

  • Collaborate with analysts and leadership to refine content for clarity, completeness, accuracy, and timeliness.


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a related field.

  • 3+ years of professional editing or writing experience for Mid-Level roles.

  • 6+ years of professional editing or writing experience for Senior roles.

  • Experience is preferably in government, technical, policy, military, or DoD environments.

  • Exceptional command of grammar, style, formatting, and editorial quality standards.

  • Strong attention to detail and ability to synthesize complex information into clear, accurate written products.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and document management or SharePoint tools.

  • Active Top Secret clearance or current TS/SCI eligibility.

  • Willingness and ability to complete all required training and CAC processing requirements.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting senior military or government leaders with official correspondence or staff actions.

  • Background in technical writing, policy editing, or quality control of high-visibility documents.

  • Familiarity with classified document handling requirements.

  • Active TS/SCI clearance.


What We Offer

We offer competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, professional development support, and the opportunity to directly influence the quality of National Guard communications at the highest levels.