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Job outlook for manuscript editors in the United States
Are manuscript editor jobs in demand?
Manuscript editor job and salary trends over time
Manuscript editor jobs over time
Manuscript editor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 98 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 100 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 100 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 101 | 0.00% |
Average manuscript editor salary over time
Manuscript editor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $62,481 | $30.04 | +3.3% |
| 2025 | $60,480 | $29.08 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $58,617 | $28.18 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $57,918 | $27.85 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $56,380 | $27.11 | +2.1% |
Manuscript editor jobs by state
Most common states for manuscript editors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 83 | 12% |
| 2 | New York | 19,849,399 | 447 | 2% |
| 3 | California | 39,536,653 | 247 | 1% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 120 | 1% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 77 | 1% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 52 | 1% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 52 | 1% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 47 | 1% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 36 | 1% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 21 | 1% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 11 | 1% |
| 12 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 11 | 1% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 10 | 1% |
| 14 | Delaware | 961,939 | 9 | 1% |
| 15 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 9 | 1% |
| 16 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 8 | 1% |
| 17 | Vermont | 623,657 | 4 | 1% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 4 | 1% |
| 19 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 58 | 0% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 58 | 0% |
Manuscript Editor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of manuscript editor experts
California State University - Sacramento
California University of Pennsylvania
University of Oregon
Viola Ardeni
Assistant Professor & Italian Language Area HeadCalifornia State University - Sacramento
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Manuscript Editor?
Viola Ardeni: To recent graduates in any field, I would recommend making sure they are doing two things: 'Ask questions' and 'Show up.' In the Romance languages, literatures, and linguistics field, asking questions may mean asking for a long of informational interviews, even in places where there are no current jobs openings. You never know what you will learn from talking to someone who is working and has your same degree. Asking questions also means to be present, aware, and critical. Showing up may instead mean trying different things. Besides teaching, there is no clear job following degrees in Romance languages etc. (and even 'teaching' includes a variety of jobs), so taking advantage of different opportunities may come in handy.
What Manuscript Editor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Viola Ardeni: The editing of texts produced by others, above all. Being good editors will be crucial. In addition, to the ability to summarize in short, easy bit very large and complex amounts of information, possibly coming from different linguistic sources. Diplomacy seems also increasingly useful, however you interpret it and wherever you stand politically. Because of the world's areas where Romance languages are mainly used, the political issues associated with those areas, and the lack of institutional support for studies in Romance languages, literatures, and linguistics in the United States, the ability of being diplomatic in navigating people, committees, donors, stakeholders, speakers, etc. is and will be important.
What will help Manuscript Editors increase their earning potential?
Viola Ardeni: Negotiate your job offer, even where your position is represented by a labor union (you may negotiate other perks and benefits). I would also recommend considering extremely carefully whether a higher degree in the field (master's or PhD) would enhance your options for a higher salary. The mental, emotional, and financial cost of graduate studies may not make it worth it, if the primary objective is earning more money.
What type of skills will young Manuscript Editors need?
Dr. Christina Fisanick: College graduates in 2021 and beyond, need all of the skills that English programs have to offer: critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and flexibility. New hires need to be able to adapt to workplace changes quickly and with aplomb, which requires critical thinking and problem solving and the ability to communicate those solutions to a diverse audience clearly and effectively. Those skills are refined and practiced regularly in English programs.
Cristina Calhoon
Senior Career Instructor, Undergraduate AdvisorUniversity of Oregon
Department of Classics
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Manuscript Editors to find work opportunities?
Cristina Calhoon: The skills that Classics graduates learn (good communication skills; careful, clear, and well-organized oral and written presentation; research, comparison, and analysis of ancient sources; linguistic proficiency in more than one language) make them flexible and adaptable. Graduate school is the goal of many of our graduates, who complete law and medical degrees in prestigious programs throughout the nation.
Some also do very well in business school, where the breadth of their academic background, the adaptability of their skills, and their analytical and communication proficiency make them highly competitive with respect to graduates from strictly pre-professional programs.
In addition to occupations in all levels of education, academic research, and archeology, some Classics graduates have also established careers in management, public relations, fundraising, administration, as well as a library, archival, and museum work, while some have also created opportunities for themselves in computer occupations, arts, and media.