Sub-editing / all sectors
Please note that the suggested rates below are minima; that rates for copyright works are for limited licences; and that VAT is not included. See notes on negotiating these rates.
This is an experimental list of all suggested rates for sub-editing, as a "cross-section" across all publishing and broadcasting sectors. For advice, tips on negotiating, etc, follow the link to the relevant sector from its rates header.
Read me first! Negotiating advice
Reported rates, to compare for Sub-editing / all sectors
NUJ members discuss rates etc for shifts in general| RATES:
Broadcasting / Programme support | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editing/sub-editing, per 1000 words |  |
275 |
| Editing/sub-editing: per day | |
200 |
| RATES:
Online/digital media / Editing+Production | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sub-editing with HTML coding: per day | |
240 |
| Sub-editing/day | |
160 |
| RATES:
Print media / Editing/producing books | ||
|---|---|---|
| We cannot say it too often: be clear on what the contract covers. Additional days of work generated by others' changes of mind must, for example, be chargeable. | ||
| Substantial editing and rewriting, per hour | |
26 |
| Specialist editing, such as classical languages or complex mathematics, per hour | |
26 |
| Copy-editing, per hour | |
23 |
| Proofreading, per hour | |
20 |
| RATES:
Print media / Magazines category: A: large-circulation and glossy mags | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sub-editing and production: per day | |
155 |
| RATES:
Print media / Magazines category: B: smaller consumer mags | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sub-editing and production: per day | |
140 |
| RATES:
Print media / Magazines category: C: larger trade and trade union mags | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sub-editing and production: per day | |
130 |
| RATES:
Print media / Magazines category: D: smaller mags | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sub-editing and production: per day | |
120 |
| RATES:
Print media / National newspapers category: Newspapers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Long sub-editing shifts (usually from 06.00 - 19.00) | |
290 |
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts (weekend) | |
170 |
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts | |
130 |
| RATES:
Print media / National newspapers category: Newspapers' supplements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Long sub-editing shifts (usually from 06.00 - 19.00) | |
290 |
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts (weekend) | |
180 |
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts | |
140 |
| RATES:
Print media / Regional newspapers category: Regional daily newspapers | ||
|---|---|---|
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts (weekend) | |
160 |
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts | |
120 |
| RATES:
Print media / Regional newspapers category: Weekly/local newspapers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sub-editing shifts are one kind of work where many - but not all - local papers pay noticeable rates. | ||
| 6 or 7 hour sub-editing shifts | |
110 |
| RATES:
Public relations / Editing+Production category: High budget | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sub-editing: per day | |
320 |
| RATES:
Public relations / Editing+Production category: Low budget | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editing and production for low-budget clients is the area of PR work that attracts the worst payments. Talking the client through the skills and knowledge required merely to stop them looking stupid, and the degree of responsibility this involves, may sometimes reap dividends. | ||
| Sub-editing: per day | |
210 |
Generally useful links:
![[www.londonfreelance.org]](gif/nujsma.gif)
Rates for the Job good, bad and ugly
www.londonfreelance.org much more information...
Join the NUJ to get individual advice & representation
The National Union of Journalists must not, can not and would not wish to dictate rates or terms of engagement to members or to editors. The information presented here is for guidance and as an aid to equitable negotiation only.
Suggestions apply to contracts governed by UK law only. In any event, nothing here should be construed as legal advice.
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