Technical editors are among the highest paid in the business of editing, especially when knowledge of the business or trade is necessary.Technical editors should apply for positions that require a knowledge of terminology they are familiar and comfortable with.
Pay for Technical Editing
Technical editors can expect to be paid by the hour.
- The average pay rate is $70 per hour.
- The high end of payment is $100 per hour.
- The low end of payment is $33 per hour.
Pay for General Business Editing
Business editors can expect to be paid by the hour.
- The average pay rate is $70 per hour.
- The high end of payment is $150 per hour.
- The low end of payment is $25 per hour.
Pay for Copy Editing for Businesses
Copy editors can expect to be paid by the hour or by the page.
- The average pay rate is $60 per hour or $3 per page.
- The high end of payment is $125 per hour or $4 per page.
- The low end of payment is $25 per hour or $2 per page.
Pay for Editing Corporate Periodicals
Corporate periodical editors can expect to be paid by the hour.
- The average pay rate is $70 per hour.
- The high end of payment is $125 per hour.
- The low end of payment is $40 per hour.
Pay for Editing Newsletters
Newsletter editors can expect to be paid by the hour or by the page.
- The average pay rate is $60 per hour or $180 per page.
- The high end of payment is $100 per hour or $225 per page.
- The low end of payment is $30 per hour or $150 per page.
Pay for Medical and Science Editing
Medical and science editors can expect to be paid by the hour or by the page.
- The average pay rate is $65 per hour or $3.50 per page.
- The high end of payment is $125 per hour or $4 per page.
- The low end of payment is $30 per hour or $3 per page.
Pay for Medical and Science Proofreading
Medical and science proofreaders can expect to be paid by the hour.
- The average pay rate is $50 per hour.
- The high end of payment is $125 per hour.
- The low end of payment is $18 per hour.
Business, technical and trade editorial jobs typically have more requirements than other editing positions, but this trade off equals higher pay. If you are a beginning editor, expect to be paid on the lower end of the payment spectrum, but similarly, if you have experience or are more knowledgeable than most in a field, do not be afraid to ask for a higher pay rate.
Source
Friedman, 2008 Writer's Market: Writer's Digest Books: Cincinnati, Ohio. p 66-74.
Related Reading:
- How to Become a Copy Editor
- Advertising Copywriting Pay Rates
- Pay Rates for Magazine, Newspaper & Ad Editing
Megan B. Wyatt - Megan B. Wyatt has a BA in English, edits fiction manuscripts and currently works as an entertainment reporter in Lafayette, Louisiana.
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