NUJ Freelance Fees Guide: Whatever - Sub-editing / all sectors

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 rates and find a freelance.

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

Uploaded: 2008-05-05; if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/subbing.html

Reported rates, to compare for Sub-editing / all sectors

The suggested rates (know a better rate? tell us!)

NUJ members discuss rates etc for shifts in general

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Subeditor_or_editor

RATES: Broadcasting / Programme support Editorial

Editing/sub-editing, per 1000 words		275
Editing/sub-editing: per day		200

RATES: Online/digital media / Editing+Production Sub-editing

Sub-editing with HTML coding: per day		240
Sub-editing/day		160

RATES: Print media / Editing/producing books Production + book editing
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.
Specialist editing, such as classical languages or complex mathematics, per hour		27
Substantial editing and rewriting, per hour		27
Copy-editing, per hour		24
Proofreading, per hour		21

RATES: Print media / Magazines category: A: large-circulation and glossy mags

Sub-editing and production: per day		160

RATES: Print media / Magazines category: B: smaller consumer mags

Sub-editing and production: per day		155

RATES: Print media / Magazines category: C: larger trade and trade union mags

Sub-editing and production: per day		140

RATES: Print media / Magazines category: D: smaller mags

Sub-editing and production: per day		130

RATES: Print media / National newspapers Shifts 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		150

RATES: Print media / National newspapers Shifts 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		150

RATES: Print media / Regional newspapers Shifts 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 Shifts 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

Code of practice for commissioning journalists

Generally useful links:

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.