The following rates have been compiled from various sources, including the Editorial Freelancers Association, the National Writers Union, and Writers Market. (Note: This chart was compiled in 2010.)
WritersMarket.com has a report with more categories listed, as well as an extensive list of organizations for freelancers that may have further and more up-to-date information on this subject.
The Editorial Freelancers Association web page of average rates can be found here.
| Editorial Service Average |
Rate Range |
Mid Range |
| Proofreading (3-10 pages per hour) |
$12-$40/hour |
$20-$35/hour |
|
|
|
| Manuscript evaluation/critique |
$15-$35/hour |
|
| Substantive edit (1-5 pages/hour) |
$25-$60/hour |
$32-$50/hour |
| Content edit (scholarly) |
$14-$32/hour |
|
| Content edit (textbook) |
$14-$65/hour |
|
| Content edit (trade) |
$30-$100/hour |
|
| Book proposal consultation |
$20-$75/hour |
|
|
|
|
| Basic copyedit (3-10 pages/hour) |
$17-$50/hour |
$25-$35/hour |
| Technical/scientific/reference copyedit |
$35-$65/hour |
|
|
|
|
| Rewriting |
$18-$50/hour |
|
|
|
|
| Collaborating: |
|
|
| No research required |
$25-$75/hour |
Project rate: $5K-$25K |
| Research required |
$35-$75/hour |
Project rate: $7.5K-$30K |
|
|
|
| Ghostwriting: |
|
|
| Commercial publisher (shared byline) |
50% of advance and royalties |
|
| Commercial publisher (no byline) |
$5,000-$50,000 |
$15,000-$25,000 |
| For self-published books |
$25-$85/hour (plus expenses) |
|
|
(typically $15,000-$25,000 per project) |
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|
|
Average Rates for Editorial Freelancing
WritersMarket.com has a report with more categories listed, as well as an extensive list of organizations for freelancers that may have further and more up-to-date information on this subject.
The Editorial Freelancers Association web page of average rates can be found here.
By Kathy Ide • Editors •