By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
How much does an editor cost? Budget is one of the top considerations when hiring a book editor. Take the mystery out of hiring a freelance editor and editing rates with the information below.
Keep Your Budget In Mind
How much does an editor cost? Prices are all over the map, so I’m happy to provide some ballpark estimates for different types of editing.
It’s important to keep in mind that some editors charge a flat fee per project, some charge hourly, some charge by page count, and some charge by word count. You want to be very clear about pricing when you’re looking to hire an editor, and get an estimate in writing. Ideally, a reputable editor will provide an agreement that outlines the scope of work, and exactly what’s being done. What you’re asking for will contribute to how much does an editor cost.
Below, you will find ballpark pricing for different types of editorial services. Some editors will provide all of these services, some will only provide one or two. For example, I do everything below. While my specialty is developmental editing, your project will arrive copy edited as well, and that’s built into my pricing structure. If you’re confused, it’s always best to ask. Finding a good editor means they will be willing to explain their work to you.
These editorial services are listed in order of comprehensiveness, from least to most. You will notice that pricing reflects this. If you’re unclear on the definitions of each service, read up on types of manuscript editing.
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.
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It genuinely feels like you’ve handed me a golden compass so I can trek off in the right direction now to ultimately find buried treasure. I’m so excited to not be wandering around aimlessly on this story any more. I can move forward on it now with confidence.
