[Google234]

Only a few percent of papers submitted actually get published. There is some amount of work involved. Also, these top journals hire full time editors (former scientists in ther field).

[jahewson]

Let’s say it’s 15 papers per month, so $40k * 15 * 12 = $7.2m for four editors. I’m not at all convinced. 40k per issue would be plausible.

[Google234]

I’m guessing that they were exaggerating a bit. I think nature now charges like 12k for open access with makes that number more reasonable.