How Much Does an Editor Cost?

How Much Does an Editor Cost for Proofreading?

A basic proofreading service of your manuscript usually cost between $.01 and $.02 per word. Some proofreaders charge by manuscript page, in the range of $1.50 to $3.50 per page.

How Much Does an Editor Cost for Copy Editing?

Copy editing is one step up in terms of comprehensiveness, and copy editing rates for your manuscript usually cost between $.02 and $.04 per word. Some copy editors charge by manuscript page, in the range of $2.50 to $5 per page.

How Much Does an Editor Cost for Line Editing?

Line editing is one step up from copy editing and involves creative feedback on your project, that’s why it often costs more. Experience and talent vary much more widely here, with some editors charging a lot for this service. You will see a broader range of prices here, and these figures are usually commensurate with experience. 

Line editing rates for your manuscript usually cost between $.04 and $.09 per word. Some copy editors charge by manuscript page, in the range of $5 to $15 per page. A good average for editorial service rates here is $.06 per word or $12 per page.

How Much Does an Editor Cost for Developmental Editing?

Developmental editing is the cream of the crop. It’s the most detailed, comprehensive, and thoughtful editing you can buy, and it usually costs the most. When writers wonder, How much does an editor cost?, they often picture this type of editing. 

Your potential editor’s qualifications matter a lot for this type of service, and that is why you can find prices all over the map. Developmental editing rates for your manuscript usually cost between $.07 and $.12 per word. Some developmental editors charge by manuscript page, in the range of $7.50 to $20 per page. A good average for developmental editorial service rates here is $.09 per word or $15 per page.

How Much Does an Editor Cost for Revisions?

Most editors will charge an additional fee to read revised material, because it represents additional time spent on the project. This is common with line editors and developmental editors, who are already familiar with your work. For revision reads in my editorial practice, for example, I charge three quarters of the original editing fee, in most cases. The client gets a price break, as the project usually represents less work with every subsequent read. 

This advice may not apply to proofreading or copy editing, since revised material presents the same kind of challenges as a first pass—there may be new typos and errors to correct. Those are often done without a discount.

How Much Does an Editor Cost Per Hour?

Some editors charge their editing rates per hour or as a flat fee. For example, I charge $699 for my Picture Book Edit on all projects with fewer than 600 words. It doesn’t matter how long the project takes me. Some editors will charge a flat fee per project, others will charge an hourly rate.

Editing hourly rates vary widely, depending on the editor’s level of experience, the type of project, etc. A broad (very broad!) ballpark would be between $25 (for a student just out of college, perhaps) and $500 per hour (for a seasoned professional).

These guidelines for “how much does an editor cost” can help you move forward with hiring an editor who fits your budget. It might not be very comfortable to talk about money, but it’s always a good idea to know your budget and to be on the same (bad publishing joke) page with a potential freelancer.

For those eagle-eyed readers who are wondering just what kind of editor would have an article with the clunky phrasing of “how much does an editor cost” repeated over and over on her website, I applaud you for noticing that this reads awkwardly. Please note that I picked this keyword phrase on purpose, as part of my SEO (search engine optimization) strategy. If you’re curious about writer marketing techniques, check out Good Story Marketing from my sister company.