Lexicographers

Employers

There are many lexicographers who work full time for the major dictionary publishers, such as Merriam-Webster Inc. (Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary), Oxford University Press (Oxford English Dictionary), and HarperCollins Publishers (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). Others work for publishers of the numerous specialized dictionaries, such as medical, law, and foreign language dictionaries. There are also many lexicographers who work on a freelance basis. Small publishers and organizations often hire freelance lexicographers to compile a dictionary on a particular subject, but even the major dictionary publishers hire a number of freelancers on an ongoing basis to research new words and new meanings for old words.

Starting Out

New lexicographers often start out at dictionary publishers as junior members of a lexicographic team. Others may enter the publishing industry as editorial assistants, proofreaders, and editors and gradually move into this career. Freelance lexicographers begin by soliciting work from dictionary publishers. To gain experience and build client relationships, they usually have to accept small jobs at relatively low pay rates.