Editors

 1. OVERVIEW

Editors are responsible for shaping the content that appears in print, digital, and broadcast media. They review, revise, and prepare written material for publication, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency. Their duties range from proofreading grammar and punctuation to developing story ideas and managing editorial teams. Editors work across many industries, including publishing, news, entertainment, and marketing.

• 2024 Median Pay: $75,260/year ($36.18/hour)

• Job Growth (2023–2033): -2% (decline)

• Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree (English, Journalism, Communications)

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

• Job Titles: Editorial Assistant, Junior Editor, Content Coordinator, Copy Assistant

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or communications

• Experience: Internships or student media experience helpful

• Certifications: Not required but grammar/editing workshops are beneficial

• Core Duties:

• Proofread and fact-check content

• Assist senior editors and writers

• Manage editorial calendars and content schedules

• Conduct research and organize drafts

• Salary Range: $35,000–$50,000

MID LEVEL

• Job Titles: Associate Editor, Copy Editor, Section Editor, Web Editor

• Education: Bachelor’s degree + 2–5 years experience

• Certifications (Recommended): Poynter Institute or ACES editing courses

• Core Duties:

• Edit articles for clarity, grammar, and adherence to style guides

• Review submissions and assign stories to writers

• Coordinate content production for print and digital platforms

• Mentor junior staff and interns

• Salary Range: $50,000–$80,000

SENIOR LEVEL

• Job Titles: Managing Editor, Executive Editor, Editor-in-Chief

• Education: Bachelor’s degree, graduate degree preferred for leadership roles

• Experience: 6+ years with management experience

• Certifications (Preferred): Leadership or editorial management workshops

• Core Duties:

• Supervise editorial teams and budgets

• Set publishing calendars and editorial vision

• Make final decisions on content and layout

• Oversee hiring, training, and interdepartmental coordination

• Salary Range: $80,000–$140,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree (journalism, English, communications)

• Training: On-the-job, internships, student publications

• Licenses: Not required

• Experience: Start as writer, assistant, or intern

• Soft Skills: Attention to detail, creativity, critical thinking, time management, collaboration

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills:

• Strong command of English grammar and style

• Content planning and editing

• Research and fact-checking

• Communication and leadership

Tools:

• Microsoft Word, Google Docs

• Adobe InCopy, InDesign

• Content Management Systems (e.g., WordPress)

• Style guides (AP, Chicago Manual, MLA)

• Collaboration tools (Slack, Trello, Asana)

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Locations: Newsrooms, publishing houses, media companies, advertising agencies, remote/freelance

• Schedules: Full-time; often dictated by publication deadlines; can include overtime

• Environment: Office-based or remote, fast-paced, deadline-driven, heavy screen time

6. JOB OUTLOOK

• Demand Drivers: Transition to digital media, decline in print publications, content marketing growth

• Annual Openings: ~9,300 through 2033

• Growth Opportunity: Specializing in digital content, technical editing, or moving into executive roles

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Role: Writers and Authors | Salary: $72,270 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

• Role: Technical Writers | Salary: $91,670 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

• Role: Desktop Publishers | Salary: $53,620 | Education Level: Associate’s degree

• Role: Reporters & Journalists | Salary: $60,280 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

• Role: Marketing Managers | Salary: $159,660 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Certifications & Courses:

• Poynter News University (www.poynter.org)

• ACES: The Society for Editing (www.editors.org)

• Coursera: Editing & Publishing programs

• LinkedIn Learning: Editorial workflows and writing techniques

Books:

• The Elements of Style by Strunk & White

• The Subversive Copy Editor by Carol Fisher Saller

• On Writing Well by William Zinsser

Videos & Channels:

• Grammar Girl (YouTube + podcast)

• Poynter Online Seminars

• NY Book Editors (YouTube)

Communities:

• r/editors (Reddit)

• ACES forums

• Editorial Freelancers Association (the-efa.org)

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

• BLS Profile: Editors Overview

• CareerOneStop: Salary & employment by state

• Projections Central: State-by-state job outlook