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‘How much do I charge? I neither want to undercharge and lose potential income nor do I want to overcharge only to lose potential clients!’ If you’re a freelance editor, a book editor, or a copy editor looking to set your freelance copy editing rates, or a small business or author planning an editing project, understanding standard editing rates is essential to both get and keep clients. Regardless of whether you’re a developmental editor or a skilled copyeditor, if you know what the going rate is for your services, you will be able to budget your expenses properly, ensure fair compensation and continue bringing in the cash where there’s money to be made, aha!
In this comprehensive Freelance Copy Editing Rates guide below, we draw upon data from the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), the Reedsy platform, Upwork, and other trusted sources to provide a clear picture of the latest freelance editing rates. We’ll cover per-word fees, hourly rates, project rates, and flat fees, as well as discuss the range of factors that influence pricing, including much editing required, the type of editing, and the experience of the editor.
For more on how to become a successful freelance editor, check out How to Become a Freelance Editor on Kristy Ting’s blog.
Why Setting the Right Freelance Copy Editing Rates Is a Good Idea
If you have yet to reach the level where you can charge anything you want and clients will still be hankering after you, then knowing what the market rates are is critical to sustain your business in a freelance editing career, nevermind maximizing profits! The most trusted guide of pricings for many editorial freelancers is the Editorial Freelancers Association’s suggested rates, which are updated annually based on market data and input from experienced editors.
As a client, if you’re working on a shoestring budget, it might be tempting to accept a lower price, but this often comes at the cost of quality. Conversely, if you are the freelance writer and you are charging too high without justification, that can deter potential clients. A good reason to research editor rates is to find the balance between fair compensation and competitive pricing.
For tips on managing client expectations and rates, see How to Set Freelance Editing Rates That Work.
Different Editors, Different Rates: Understanding the Types of Editing
In the vast world of editing, there are different editors specializing in various types of editorial work, and their rates often reflect the expected complexity and skill required of the project:
- Developmental Editors: Focus on big-picture elements such as structure, character development, and narrative flow. This type of editing involves much work and often commands the highest rates.
- Line Editors: Concentrate on sentence-level clarity, tone, and style.
- Copy Editors: Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and ensure adherence to a style guide such as the Chicago Manual of Style or the Copyeditor’s Handbook.
- Proofreaders: Provide a final check for typos and formatting errors before work goes to print.
Each type of editing requires different skills and time commitments, which influences the base rate and per-word fee.
Learn more about the distinctions in Copyediting vs. Line Editing vs. Proofreading: What’s the Difference?.
Average Freelance Copy Editing Rates in 2024
Per-Word Fee and Project Rate Overview
| Type of Editing | Range (per word) | Average Rate (per word) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developmental Editing | $0.04 – $0.12 | $0.07 | Highest due to complexity |
| Line Editing | $0.02 – $0.06 | $0.04 | Moderate detail work |
| Copy Editing | $0.01 – $0.04 | $0.025 | Most common for editorial work |
| Proofreading | $0.005 – $0.02 | $0.01 | Final polish |
Source: Editorial Freelancers Association, Reedsy platform, Upwork
Hourly Rates and Project Rates
| Editor Experience | Range (hourly rate) | Typical Project Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Editors | $20 – $35 | $200 – $500 | Lower rates for portfolio building |
| Experienced Editors | $40 – $75 | $1,000 – $4,000+ | Reflects years of experience and skill |
| Specialized Editors (Academic, Technical) | $60 – $100+ | $2,000+ | Higher rates for niche expertise |
Project rates often vary widely depending on the total word count, page count, and scope of work. For example, a non-fiction book requiring much editing will have a significantly higher project fee than a short blog post or white paper.
For guidance on pricing larger projects, see How to Price Your Editing Projects.
Factors Influencing Freelance Copy Editing Rates
1. Experience of the Editor
This one is the most obvious, where experience of the editor is a major data point when setting rates. Editors with extensive backgrounds, memberships in professional organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association, or formal training with certificates often allows one to command the higher rates – if you have build your brand and people know your name, then you get to set your own significantly higher rates!
2. Type of Editing and Amount of Work
The type of editing – whether developmental editing, line editing, or copy editing, and even number of pages affects the editor cost. An editing project with much editing required because it is super long will naturally costs more.
3. Type of Content and Style Guide
Editing a manuscript that requires adherence to a specific style sheet or guide, such as the Chicago Manual of Style or the Copyeditor’s Handbook, to edit an AI-whipped up copy to make it sound like the client’s voice, can influence the base rate. Academic work, marketing materials, and small business documents each have unique demands.
Learn about working with style guides in How to Use Style Guides in Editing.
4. Turnaround Time and Scope of Work
Projects with tight deadlines or extensive revisions may warrant an additional fee or higher price. The scope of work—including whether the editor will also format or fact-check—also impacts rates.
5. Geographic Location and Market Research
Rates can vary by location. For example, editors in San Francisco and other major cities often charge more due to higher living costs. However, many editorial freelancers work remotely, making location less of a factor. But then again, Americans typically charge a higher hourly rate compared to those from South East Asia, eg The Philippines. Market research on platforms like Reedsy and Upwork can provide useful data points on the going rate.
Setting Your Freelance Copy Editing Rates: Tips for Editors
- Start with the standard editing rates as a base rate, then adjust based on your skills and the type of work.
- Offering a flat fee for an entire project can simplify pricing and appeal to clients.
- Consider providing a sample edit to clarify the amount of work required and justify your price quote.
- Use resources like the Editorial Freelancers Association and the Reedsy platform to stay informed about previous year rates and trends.
- Be transparent about what your rate includes to avoid misunderstandings.
- Entice the client to hire you for editing packages of your own such as bundle offers, eg 2nd project for 20% off
For more detailed advice, see How to Set Your Freelance Editing Rates.
Summary Table: Freelance Editing Rates Overview
| Metric | Low End | Average | High End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Rate | $20 | $50 | $100+ | Varies by experience and specialization |
| Per-Word Fee | $0.005 | $0.03 | $0.12 | Depends on editing type and content |
| Per-Page Rate | $1 | $5 | $15 | Based on 250-300 words per page |
| Flat Fee (per project) | $50 (blog) | $1,500 (book) | $4,000+ (book) | Depends on scope and complexity |
Working with Clients on a Shoestring Budget
Obviously not the ideal type of client to earn a decent living from, but if you are just scraping through yourself, then you’ll just have to scoop whatever opportunity arises, *Sniff. For small business owners or authors on a shoestring budget, it’s important to prioritize which type of editing is most essential. Sometimes a lower price for copy editing services is a reasonable compromise, but skipping developmental editing on a complex manuscript can lead to more revisions later. Make sure to be clear on the extent of work that they money charged is for – Be careful not to be roped in to do more than the agreed scope!
Read more about editing on a budget in How to Edit Your Book on a Shoestring Budget.
Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Approach Freelance Copy Editing Rates
You really have to understand from the outset that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to editorial rates! The most trusted guide is to research current market rates, understand your own skills, experience and editorial standards, and communicate clearly with clients about the scope of work and expectations. If you have a flair for editing and have your own fan base, even better, aha!
Whether you’re an editor or a client, investing in a good editor—whether a developmental editor or a skilled copyeditor—is a must for producing polished, professional work.
For insights on working with editors, see How to Find the Right Editor for Your Book.
References and Resources
- Editorial Freelancers Association Rates
- Reedsy Freelance Editing Rates Guide
- Upwork Copy Editor Cost
- Thumbtack Freelance Editing Rates
- Editorial Ninja Editor Charges
- Proofed: Freelance vs Agency Editing Costs
- Daniel J Tortora: Nonfiction Book Copy Editing Services Cost
If you’re involved in editorial work, whether as an editor or client, keeping these factors and rates in mind will help you navigate the market confidently and fairly.
