How Rates Were Calculated
The way rates are calculated affects the outcome. Rates below are calculated in units of rate per writer with no weight given to the number of hours each writer works. In other words Avg = (RateForA + RateForB) / NumberOfEditors.
For example, if writer A works 200 hours/mo and charges 50 NIS/hour, while writer B works 100 hours/mo and charges 100 NIS/hr the average is calculated as follows:Avg = (50 NIS + 100 NIS) / 2 = 75 NIS .
Calculated Hourly Rates vs. Hourly Only Rates
Throughout this report global monthly rates were converted to hourly rates, with the exception of the General breakdown where both were listed.
Exchange Rates
Rates that were listed in $USD were converted to NIS at a rate of 4.036.
Average, Median and Percentiles
Average is calculated by adding up all salaries and dividing the sum by the number of salaries reported. Average = SUM / # of entries.
Median is what is the salary for the person in the middle, with the same number of people earning the same or more as those earning that salary or less.
Percentiles are a ranking of entries with the lowest at 1 and the highest at 100.
25% salary means that 25% charge that rate or less, and 75% earn that rate or more. This is a low-end salary - most writers earn more.
50% salary means that 50% charge that rate or less, and 50% earn that rate or more. This is what the average, run-of-the-mill technical writer should expect to earn.
75% salary means that 75% charge that rate or less, and 25% earn that rate or more. This is what a writer who is the starting point for a high-end salary.
90% salary means that 90% charge that rate or less, and 10% earn that rate or more. This is a high-end salary - these figures are not included in this report, but I do have them for personal consulting.
General
31 copy editors reported a time based rate (hourly or monthly), while only 12 reported a per page or per word rate. Some reported both. The number of copy editors reporting a golobal monthly reate was too small to include a separate statistic on monthly global rates.
The hourly rate for copy editors who charge a global monthly amount had a lower hourly rate on average than those who charged strictly by an hourly rate. The reason for this is not clear. It may be that many of these copy editors work as subcontractors and it may be that they charge less in return for a more stable income.
Throughout this report global monthly rates were converted to hourly rates, with the exception of the General breakdown. The hourly only rate was added here to
Hourly RatePer Page Rate
Average101.0358.36
Median100
53.50
Std Deviation45.37
35.74
Percentiles
25%66.10
35.00
50%100.0053.50
75%120.00
76.25
Professional Organizations
Not calculated yet.
AffiliationNo Affiliation
Average
Median
Std Deviation
Percentiles
25%
50%
75%
% of total
Experience
52% of those reporting a time based rate have more than 10 years experience, 39% have between 5 and 10 years experience, and only 10% have less than 5 years experience. Of those reporting a per page or per word rate, 33% have more than 10 years experience, 42% have between 5 and 10 years experience, and 25% have less than 5 years experience.
Hourly Rate
<55-10 yrs>10
Average66.2589.70110.66
Median60.0090.00100.00
Std Deviation16.5447.5144.68
Percentiles
25%56.8857.5080.54
50%60.0090.00100.00
75%72.50111.52122.50
NIS/Page Rate
<55-10 yrs>10
Average38.3344.40101.25
Median35.0047.0090.00
Std Deviation5.7716.4134.25
Percentiles
25%35.0030.0078.75
50%35.0047.0090.00
75%40.0060.00112.50
Age
45% of those reporting a time based rate are under 50 years old and 55% are 50 years old or above. All of those reporting per page or per word rates were under 50.
Hourly Rate
<5050+
Average99.9596.84
Median80.00100.00
Std Deviation54.1038.42
Percentiles
25%60.0080.72
50%80.00100.00
75%124.86108.33
NIS/Page Rate
<5050+
Average61.83no data
Median53.50no data
Std Deviation35.74no data!
Percentiles
25%35.00no data
50%53.50no data!
75%76.25no data
Geography
The distribution of copy editors participating in the survey was very high in the Jerusalem area relative to other areas. 52% of those charging time based rates reported working in the 02 area code and 42% reported that they lived in this area code. The percentages for those charging page based rates was similar. Due to the small numbers in all other areas of Israel, only the rates for the 02 area code are listed below.
Hourly Rates
02 Work02 Home
Average105.81107.47
Median100.00100.00
Std Deviation43.6446.89
16.0013.00
Percentiles
25%68.2668.61
50%100.00100.00
75%127.09130.00
NIS/Page Rate
02 Work02 Home
Average59.4059.40
Median60.0060.00
Std Deviation18.8218.82
5.005.00
Percentiles
25%47.0047.00
50%60.0060.00
75%75.0075.00
Sex
Based on those reporting, copy editing is definately a female profession. Only 13% of those report time based rates and 17% of those reporting page or word based rates are male.
Hourly Rate
MaleFemale
Average77.68101.29
Median70.36100.00
Std Deviation30.9846.79
4.0027.00
Percentiles
25%57.5067.91
50%70.36100.00
75%90.54120.54
NIS/Page Rate
MaleFemale
Average65.0061.20
Median30.0053.50
Std Deviation49.5035.87
2.0010.00
Percentiles
25%47.5037.50
50%65.0053.50
75%82.5071.25
