How Much Does a Book Editor Make?

This blog post discusses editor salaries, sharing my own experience and figures. I discuss hourly rates and annual salaries, and where you can get advice on how to develop a pricing strategy that meets your needs.

The majority of editors charge between £30 and £60 per hour for copyediting or content editing. Copyediting rates are generally toward the lower end of that bracket, and content editing rates the higher end. Niche skills and services (e.g., academic developmental editing or medical editing) sometimes command significantly higher rates. But how does all that translate into a salary? How much does a book editor really make, and is it a viable career?

Understanding Book Editor Salaries

Many people edit as a side hustle or work reduced hours because of other commitments. This job suits those with flexible schedules. Editing isn't an entry-level skill, either. It usually takes around five years of full-time editing work to reach a high level of competence.

All this means that editing isn't typically a path for becoming rich quickly – but many editors earn a decent salary and are happy with their income. In my case, I treat my editorial business as a full-time job. I don’t work weekends or evenings. Below, I've shared my total income and how it has varied over the years, and I share them for transparency to give you a sense of what an editor might earn. My hope is that talking about money encourages discussions in our field, much like Corinne McKay has done in translation.

And I was inspired to do so after attending Bear Hebert's webinar course on an anti-capitalist guide to pricing your work.

One popular adage is that, for editing, if you want to guess an editor's annual salary, take their average hourly rates and multiply that figure by one thousand – this certainly tracks with my experience!

Yearly Income Overview

Here's the formula I used to calculate the figures below:

Total income = all turnover from paid work (editing, coaching, translating, teaching) minus total income from subcontracting

I work about 25 billable hours a week. Including marketing and admin tasks, I generally put in 35 to 40 hours each week.

• 2024/25: £50,593.47

• 2023/24: £43,756.95

• 2022/23: £37,247.47

• 2021/22: £47,577.05

• 2020/21: £30,357.26

  
  

These numbers reveal something essential:

Fluctuating income is normal for business owners.

A single £3,000 payment can transform a year, making it a record or a disappointment. Don’t stress—focus on meeting your needs.

For more on the economics and social side to running a small business, check out my podcast:

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Earnings

A common feeling I experience revolves around not earning as much as I'd desire. This often stems from a mindset of scarcity. Unfortunately, this notion is prevalent in many business environments. People feel pressured to work harder and earn more. However, it's crucial to remember that we each have limits and pursuits outside of work.

I constantly remind myself that my current feelings don’t reflect reality—I can meet my needs comfortably. Abundance comes in many forms: the time I spend with family, the relationships I build, and the friendships I foster.

When the fear of scarcity creeps in, I recall a mantra from Jen Carrington. She reminds me of my past earnings, which reassures me. If I made it before, I can do it again.

How Much Does a Book Editor Make: Comparing Figures with Salaries

It's tough to compare editing figures to employee salaries directly. Employees gain additional benefits, such as employer pension contributions. For instance, an employee earning £40,000 may cost their employer almost double that when considering other costs. Keep this in mind when publishers request work for seemingly low fees.

Conversely, I don't incur commuting costs, saving time I could have spent traveling. I now dedicate that hour to writing novels and short stories!

Storytelling Through Numbers

2020/21

This year followed my business's establishment and was my second year working full-time as an editor. I handled translation along with line editing and light copyediting for academic packagers. I considered this income successful because of my newness to the field and my minimal outgoings during the pandemic.

Main services: Academic line editing and translation for academics directly.

Income: £30,357.26

2021/22

During this year, I focused mainly on line editing, some translation work, and added developmental editing to my repertoire. Figures rose slightly due to an advance payment I received (I now enforce expiry dates on such payments)!

Main services: Academic line editing, developmental editing for academics, and fiction copyediting.

Income: £47,577.05

2022/23

My mindset this year revolved around fully committing to fiction without stressing about earnings. This approach demonstrated the importance of mindset! Although I was disappointed with my income drop, I gained recognition as a fiction editor. I reduced my hours to buy a house, making essential adjustments.

Main services: Fiction copyediting and developmental editing, primarily for indie authors.

Income: £37,247.47

2023/24

I anticipated landing in the low forties, and I was accurate. Shrinking my low-paying fiction clientele, I transitioned towards more developmental editing and coaching. I learned that the fiction market generally offers lower rates than academic developmental editing due to lack of project funding. I aim for a balance between fiction and academic work.

Main services: Fiction copyediting, developmental editing for indie authors, and coaching/editing for academics.

Income: £43,756.95

2024/25

This year ushered in significant changes. I decreased my focus on self-publishing authors. My coaching hours surged, yielding substantial earnings from "crossover" workshops on fiction craft for cultural anthropologists. I expanded my anthropology developmental editing client base.

Additionally, I diversified my income by taking on more prominent Big 5 and traditional publisher clients. I honed my marketing strategies around aligning with my values and sought out fulfilling projects.

Finding harmony among academic projects and exciting fiction from traditional publishers became my priority. Importantly, my income needs increased as I began contributing £500 monthly to a pension.

Main services: Fiction and anthropology line editing, developmental editing, coaching, and fiction copyediting/proofreading for traditional publishers.

Income: £50,593.47

Future Projections

For 2025/26, I expect to increase my income modestly as I continue running workshops and balancing my efforts in anthropology and fiction editing. Additionally, I plan to expand my coaching offerings.

As you consider the income potential in book editing, remember the ever-changing landscape and the unique journey each editor navigates.