Can I make a living as a copy editor?

Yes, you can make a living as a copy editor. Some copy editing jobs pay well, like at publishing houses, media companies, or companies that create manuals and large documents. Working as a copy editor for a small newspaper or even freelancing may not be as lucrative. It all depends on where you work.

Do you need a degree to be a copy editor?

No, you do not need a degree to be a copy editor. However, most publishing houses or newspapers require a bachelor's degree in journalism, English, or communications. In some cases, having enough work or project experience can help someone without a degree land an entry-level position or pick up work as a freelance copy editor.

How much do copy editors make?

Copy editors make, on average, $47,000 a year ($23.06 an hour). However, there is some range in how much a copy editor can make - starting from as little as $31,000 to $72,000 a year. Factors such as location and industry impact how much a copy editor can make.

What is the difference between a proofreader and a copy editor?

The difference between a proofreader and a copy editor is in the scope of the editing process. Copy editing, for example, is about making sure a text is clear, readable, and error-free, whereas proofreading is about correcting errors in a "proof" version of a typeset text.

How To Become A Copy Editor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a copy editor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Bradley Shreve

A copy editor is an individual who evaluates written content to ensure it is grammatically correct and succinct in messaging. Copy editors spend much of their time proofreading and checking for typographical errors, such as invalid punctuation, misspelled words, or words written out of the proper context of their usage.

Other duties include fact-checking information, such as dates and statistics, rewriting copying to enhance readability and clarity, and collaborating with copywriters, content writers, authors, and other writing professionals.

Copy editors work in many different industries and can be hired on a freelance basis or for a permanent role at a company. They might work for specific enterprise companies, advertising agencies, news and entertainment companies, publishers, or other literary-related organizations.

Common skills associated with copy editors include strong written and verbal communication skills, creativity, attention to detail, strong judgment, collaborative skills, and critical thinking abilities. Many copy editors are also proficient in industry-standard software and style guides.

Many employers prefer candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, creative writing, or another related area. Most copy editors have at least a bachelor's degree, if not a master's degree in one of these fields. It is possible to gain a career in this field without a college degree, though you still need an adequate amount of experience and a work portfolio for most positions.

What general advice would you give to a Copy Editor?

Bradley Shreve

Editor, Tribal College Journal

Be flexible. An undergraduate degree in history offers a solid liberal arts background, but not a skill set that is finely tuned for most jobs. Think outside the box, and understand that the job you land probably won't be in the history profession.

ScoreCopy EditorUS Average

Salary

4.9

Avg. Salary $62,599

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.7

Growth Rate -5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.27%

Asian 7.30%

Black or African American 3.61%

Hispanic or Latino 8.19%

Unknown 4.59%

White 76.04%

Gender

female 60.80%

male 39.20%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress Level

6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.3

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a copy editor

Explore copy editor education requirements

Most common copy editor degrees

Bachelor's

82.9 %

Master's

8.8 %

Associate

4.8 %

Start to develop specific copy editor skills

Skills	Percentages
Proofreading	11.75%
House Style	7.97%
Digital Publishing	6.37%
Fact Check	6.36%
SEO	5.04%

Complete relevant copy editor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New copy editors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a copy editor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real copy editor resumes.

Research copy editor duties and responsibilities

Manage copy editing and proofreading responsibilities of weekly business newspaper and special supplements.
Collaborate with managing editor and editor-in-chief to develop and post news coverage and multimedia projects.
Supervise editorial services and manage workload for multiple complex projects offering professional development training for educators via online and classroom delivery.
Compile NHL, NBA, NFL, golf and college roundups, and laid out the scoreboard page.

Prepare your copy editor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your copy editor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a copy editor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Copy Editor Resume templates

Build a professional Copy Editor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Copy Editor resume.

Apply for copy editor jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a copy editor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do copy editors rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Copy Editor reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020

Pros

I love hearing stories from other sources.

Cons

people not providing accurate information

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019