How Much Will It Cost? Average Freelance Editing Rates
October 10, 2007 by Lillie
We’ve talked about freelance writing and editing rates several times before (see Related Posts below). I found (rather found again – as I used to have the page bookmarked but lost it somewhere along the line) a simple, but excellent, chart of average rates.
The Editorial Freelancers Association, “the professional resource for editorial specialists and those who hire them,” publishes a chart of Common Rates for Editorial Services.
The chart gives an estimated pace and range of fees for various tasks.
Although the fees seem to be on the low side, the chart demonstrates the differences in time required between different levels of editing and the range of time required for different projects. The pace for developmental editing is 1-5 ms pages per hour while the pace for proofreading is 3-10 ms pages per hour. There are several levels of editing between these two extremes. The rates also reflect the degree of difficulty of the project – the low end of developmental editing is only a little more than the top rate for proofreading.
Clients don’t always recognize the differences. My rate sometimes shocks prospective clients: “So-and-so charges less than half that!” they say. But when I tell them what I intend to do for their manuscript, they have no idea if the editor offering a lower price will do the same. I have done proofreading only a couple of times … and I don’t like it. I get too wrapped up in how the story or article could be made better. I love developmental editing, and I love working with authors who need lots of help. But that doesn’t mean I won’t love working with you if you’re an excellent writer who needs just a little help. 
I think you’ll find this chart helpful whether you’re charging for editing or paying for it.
Related Posts:
Self-Publishing Primer: Part 11 – How Much Does Self-Publishing Cost?
What are your prices for writing and editing services … and how much value do you give?
Working with a Professional Editor: Part 1 – Finding the Right Editor
Working with a Professional Editor: Part 2 – How It Works
[tags]freelance editing rates[/tags]
Hi Lillie,
Even though outsourcing writers overseas can be cheap, there’s still a big difference in terms of quality in English grammar. There’s still no substitute for native English speaker writers.
-John Sumner
John,
I took Spanish in college, but I would never try to write an article in Spanish!
I get a lot of English-as-second-language commenters here. I really appreciate their comments, but sometimes I have a hard time understanding them.
Yes there’s no substitute to English speakers but I am not closing my doors to some other writers (from different countries) that has good English quality in both written and oral communication. It’s just so hard to look for them. Maybe it takes time.
marie,
I would never close the doors to any group of writers, but I recognize that in most cases, a native English speaker knows the syntax and the idioms of English better than someone for whom it is a second language. No aspersions on anyone–I certainly would never try to sell my writing services in another language!
I just checked the chart and wow, those rates are high for me. I also work in what can be called a globally competitive market so the skills and rates are cutthroat. I wish I could charge that much for my transcribing and translating skills!
Dany,
Those rates are average. Many people charge more and some charge less.
It’s really necessary to outsource your other task to freelance people. It may be expensive as you think but in reality it so cheap. You can save from that.
Jerry,
You’re right–often trying to do everything yourself is false economy. You would actually saving money by paying professionals what they do best and concentrating on building your business.
Clients do tend to be unaware of the rates and why they are what they are. The best thing freelances could do is to educate them. Unfortunately, there are clients who will prioritize cost over quality. Seems like one of the realities of life a freelancer has to deal with.
Jane,
It doesn’t bother me that some people prefer to use a cheaper editor. I believe I give my clients value for their money, and I have plenty of clients from referral. My target market is people who are willing to pay for superior service and quality.
Wow, I guess I can be happy that my girfriend proof reads my stuff
I knew there must be a reason why she is so precious. 
You’d better hang on to her, Christoph.
Thanks for the link to the chart. As a freelance writer, you see prices all over the place. You can second guess yourself sometimes with what you charge.
Ella,
The chart is a good guide. You have to adjust according to the experience you have, where you live, and other factors, but it’s wonderful to have a starting point.
[...] How Much Will It Cost? Average Freelance Editing Rates http://lillieammann.com/2007/10/10/how-much-will-it-cost-average-freelance-editing-rates/ [...]
Great Post. I actually think it is ok to outsource the writing, let’s say of an English text to someone provided that the person in question has a perfect mastery of the language (university qualification in journalism, literature, communication with writing experience). Then only we can get a good quality of work. Many copywriters I met on outsourcing platforms just put cheap prices but the quality in return is very poor.
Dave,
I certainly agree with everything you said.
This is just great. I am always ask how much I charge if they will ask me to some editing and I always answer I don’t know. With this I have a clue on how much I really deserved to received with the works done. Thank you so much, Lillie.
Glad the post was helpful, Chris.
I actually find a lot of editing gigs on freelance websites. The rates are not too bad but client’s do tend to negotiate. I need to learn to say ‘no’ if the rate is too low – that’s a big problem for me.
Mercy,
I’m glad the freelance writing job sites work for you.
I wonder if at first it might make sense to charge less for services in order to build a more substantial following? At some point maybe you could charge more. Maybe not publishing your proofreading or editing rates is the way to go.
Tucker,
Your rates should be reflective of your experience, so working at a lower rate when you’re fairly new makes sense.
Thanks for the stumble, Laura. I’m glad I re-discovered the typical rates chart.
Thanks for the stumble, cm!