Copy editors check text before it's published in books, journals and websites.
£22,000 Starter
to£40,000 Experienced
37 to 39 a week
evenings occasionally
You can get into this job through:
Many copy editors have a degree. Most subjects are accepted.
A degree in publishing, media, English or a related subject may improve your chances of finding work.
To work in a specialist area, employers will prefer you to have a subject-related degree.
You'll usually need:
You can work towards this role through an advanced apprenticeship as a publishing assistant.
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
You could start as an editorial assistant in a publishing company and build up your experience of proofreading and text editing. This would also allow you to build a portfolio of work, to showcase your skills to potential employers.
You could take a proofreading or editing course, like the ones offered by the The Publishing Training Centre or the Society for Editors and Proofreaders.
Some publishing houses run graduate training schemes and internships.
Employers will often expect you to have some experience in the publishing industry.
You could get experience in the publishing industry from:
You could join a professional organisation like The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP).
The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) and the Publishing Training Centre have further details on training options.
You can also find out more about working in this and other creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
You'll need:
Your day-to-day duties might include:
You could work in an office or from home.
You could become a features writer, chief sub-editor or production editor. Some sub-editors go freelance.
The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.
Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.
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