This is a difficult question to answer because there are a range of factors that can affect the hourly rate for copy editing, including the type of project, the level of experience of the editor, the geographic location, and the length of the project. That said, here are a few general guidelines:
-For a simple copy edit (i.e., correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors), the rate can be anywhere from $25-$75 per hour.
-For a more in-depth edit (i.e., attending to sentence structure, clarity, and overall flow), the rate can be anywhere from $30-$100 per hour.
-For a developmental edit (i.e., working with the author on overall concept and structure), the rate can be anywhere from $35-$150 per hour.
Of course, these are just general ranges, and the actual rate will depend on the specifics of the project and the editor. I would recommend shopping around and getting quotes from a few different editors before making a decision.