The above question is usually peppered with swearwords and followed by a frustrated sigh. But the question is a good one, and today, I’m going to answer it.

Facts About Editing Rates:

1. While every freelance editor has the ability to set his or her rates, most rates fall within an accepted range and are updated yearly (due to inflation, the market, etc.).

2. Whether hourly, by the word, or by the page, the rate editors charge should be based on both their skill level and the amount of work involved.

   • A young editor fresh out of college should charge less than an 20-year veteran with large publishing house experience.

   • If you’re only looking for help with the basics (i.e., spelling, punctuation, and grammar), the charge should be less than, say, a developmental edit.

   • If you haven’t run spell-check, proofread a few times, and done at least a bit of self-revision, expect to pay more.

   • Conversely, the more time you’ve taken with your work, the more an editor can help and the less you’ll be charged.

3. After reviewing all the pieces of your project, an editor should offer a quote, along with a time frame for completion. You should then be asked to sign a basic contract. These details are crucial and help prevent miscommunication, protecting all involved.

Remember, anyone who works as a freelancer has to pay out of pocket for things like health insurance. And they deserve a living wage, just like everyone else.