10 of the Best Types of Copy Editor Jobs in 2026
Discover some great types of Copy Editor jobs that are hiring now.
To become a copy editor, you will first need a high school diploma or equivalent. Though some jobs require a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, or a related field, some copy editor jobs just require an associate degree or on the job training. In most jobs, you will take an editing exam as part of the hiring process to ensure you have the skills and qualification you need to fulfill your responsibilities of this career. To become a certified copy editor, you must pass a national certification exam or complete a university certificate program.
If you are interested in a Copy Editorjob, here are some kinds of positions to explore for this type of work with open positions on ZipRecruiter.
High Paying Copy Editor Jobs
Senior Copy Editor
Salary range: $65,000 - $104,500
Senior Copy Editor is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Senior Copy Editor jobs pay between $65,000 (25th percentile) and $104,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Copy Editor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Freelance Copy Editor
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
The primary qualifications for a career as a freelance copy editor include a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and experience with editing content. Many copy editors start with small freelance projects or school newspapers before applying for other roles. Employers strongly prefer previous experience in this field, so the more you've edited in the past, the more likely you are to stick out from other applicants. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of this position requires extreme attention to detail, familiarity with common manuals of style, and excellent communication skills. Most employers have editing deadlines, so the ability to adjust your schedule as needed is helpful to your success in this role.
Entry Level Copy Editor
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
The qualifications needed to start working as an entry-level copy editor include a degree, a minute attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the English language. Copy editors typically begin their careers after earning a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or a related field. You can hone your copy editing skills by undertaking an internship, working on an editing project with your peers, or joining a student newspaper or magazine. Publications often rely on manuals such as the AP Stylebook to inform their copy editing guidelines, and familiarity with multiple style guides can set you apart from other candidates.
Copy Editor Internship
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.
Junior Copy Editor
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
Junior Copy Editor is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Junior Copy Editor jobs pay between $46,000 (25th percentile) and $66,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Junior Copy Editor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Temporary Copy Editor
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.
Virtual Copy Editor
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.
Co Op Copy Editor
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
The qualifications you need for a Co-Op job depend on the application requirements at your school and the organization where you want to work. You must be an officially enrolled student at your college or university, and GPA and credit hour requirements are typical. Some companies prefer Co-Op students whose major aligns with the industry. You must have strong communication skills and a willingness to learn and practice a variety of new tasks and job duties. Your responsibilities are to apply your learning to your Co-Op work experience and be a punctual and motivated employee.
From Home Copy Editor
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
From Home Copy Editor is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for From Home Copy Editor jobs pay between $46,000 (25th percentile) and $66,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for From Home Copy Editor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Full Time Copy Editor
Salary range: $46,000 - $66,500
Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.