10 of the Most Popular Types of Developmental Editor Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Developmental Editor jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Developmental Editor Jobs

• Development Editor

  Salary range: $57,500 - $97,000

  A development editor works with an author to define and improve the structure and content of a manuscript. Development editors may start early on, from the point when the manuscript is accepted for publication, noting a lack of focus and helping the author refine a more definite direction for the book. They may also discover inconsistent tone, an unclear audience, or a stilted writing style, and provide suggestions to resolve these issues. Some development editors review the book chapter by chapter, until the book is ready for publication. Most developmental editors have a degree in English or a related subject. Many have experience in publishing as copy editors or proofreaders, or have been writers themselves before moving to become developmental editors.

• Developmental Editing

  Salary range: $44,500 - $82,500

  Developmental Editing is a typical job search query Most salaries for Developmental Editing jobs pay between $44,500 (25th percentile) and $82,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Developmental Editing job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Fiction Book Editor

  Salary range: $58,000 - $60,000

  Fiction Book Editor is a common job search query. Most salaries for Fiction Book Editor jobs pay between $58,000 (25th percentile) and $60,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Fiction Book Editor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Peer Editor

  Salary range: $44,500 - $82,500

  Peer Editor is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Peer Editor jobs pay between $44,500 (25th percentile) and $82,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Peer 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 Scientific Editing

  Salary range: $125,500 - $142,000

  Freelance Scientific Editing is a typical job search query Most salaries for Freelance Scientific Editing jobs pay between $125,500 (25th percentile) and $142,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Freelance Scientific Editing job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Manuscript Reader

  Salary range: $32,500 - $45,000

  Freelance Manuscript Reader is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Freelance Manuscript Reader jobs pay between $32,500 (25th percentile) and $45,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Freelance Manuscript Reader job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Senior Editor

  Salary range: $65,000 - $104,500

  The duties of a senior editor are to oversee writing or production for newspapers, magazines, newsletters, or other types of digital or print media, such as a website or blog. Responsibilities include working with staff writers, freelancers, and interns, assigning stories for them to write or research. A senior editor also oversees junior editors and copy editors, making decisions regarding content and offering suggestions. They typically report to an editor-in-chief or managing editor as well as the publisher. Qualifications to become a senior editor often include a bachelor’s or master’s degree as well as experience in the publishing industry.

• Freelance Medical Editor

  Salary range: $72,000 - $104,500

  Freelance Medical Editor is a typical job search query Most salaries for Freelance Medical Editor jobs pay between $72,000 (25th percentile) and $104,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Freelance Medical Editor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Biblio

  Salary range: $31,500 - $64,000

  Biblio is a typical job search query Most salaries for Biblio jobs pay between $31,500 (25th percentile) and $64,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Biblio job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Book Editor

  Salary range: $44,500 - $82,500

  As a freelance book editor, your job is to help your client draft, edit, and proofread a manuscript for a book. Freelance book editors usually contract directly with authors and publishing houses, and many editors work on several projects at the same time. You can work with any genre of content, but many editors specialize in fields like healthcare, finance, fiction, or children's books. In this role, you may interview authors, proactively offer editorial suggestions, manage the length of the text, rewrite and restructure content, ensure a consistent structure, identify gaps in content, and ensure that the author completes all manuscripts on time.