Form Editor - Certified Online For Free

How much do copy editors make? Copy editors make, on average, $47,000 a year ($23.06 an hour). However, there is some range in how much a copy editor can make - starting from as little as $31,000 to $72,000 a year. Factors such as location and industry impact how much a copy editor can make.

A copy editor must have a bachelor's degree, and advanced degrees are highly recommended for editors who are interested in moving up in the industry. Most copy editors have degrees in English or journalism, but it is not unheard of for editors to major in one of the other liberal arts.

Absolutely. This is especially true if you did not go to college for writing or editing but still need to stand out to potential employers. On top of that, certifications often cost way less than going back to school to get your degree, so it is a good option to save you money as well.

There are no certification or licensure requirements to work as an editor. How long does it take to become an editor? It takes most people around four years to earn a bachelor's degree. Those who pursue graduate publishing or editing degrees or certificates will take another year or two to complete their education.

As an aspiring copy editor, you might wonder whether taking an online copy editing course is worth the time and money. While a certification in copy editing isn't mandatory, it can be a game-changer, especially if you hope to start your own business.

(Wait?it isn't?) For certain personalities, copy editing can be a highly stressful job. If you misspell a word in a book, it's out there until the next reprinting and everyone in the publishing biz will doubt your abilities. You have to sit at the kid's table during industry dinners.

Copy editing is an essential job not just in the self-publishing world, but in any industry that relies on communication through the written word. From news media and technical writing to novels and nonfiction, there's plenty of demand for copy editors.

Absolutely. This is especially true if you did not go to college for writing or editing but still need to stand out to potential employers. On top of that, certifications often cost way less than going back to school to get your degree, so it is a good option to save you money as well.