Editors

Summary

Editors plan, coordinate, and revise material for publication.

Quick Facts: Editors
2010 Median Pay	$51,470 per year $24.75 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	1 to 5 years
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	127,200
Job Outlook, 2010-20	1% (Little or no change)
Employment Change, 2010-20	800

What Editors Do

Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.

Work Environment

Editors usually work in offices, but advances in technology now allow some editors to work wherever they have a computer. Because most editors have strict production deadlines, the work can be stressful and sometimes tiring. More than half of all editors work in the publishing industry. Most work full time.

How to Become an Editor

A college degree is generally required for someone to be an editor. Proficiency with computers and communications equipment also is necessary.

Pay

The median annual wage of editors was $51,470 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of editors is expected to experience little or no change from 2010 to 2020 as print media continue to face strong pressure from online publications. Strong competition is expected for salaried editing jobs because many people want to work in the media industry.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of editors with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about editors by contacting these additional resources.

What Editors Do

Editors constantly work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication. An editor’s responsibilities vary with the employer and the type and level of editorial position.

Duties

Editors typically do the following:

• Read content and correct for errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Rewrite copy to make it easier for people to understand
• Verify facts, using standard reference sources
• Evaluate submissions from writers to decide what to publish
• Work with writers to help their ideas and stories succeed
• Plan the content of publications according to the publication's style and editorial policy
• Develop story and content ideas while being mindful of the audience
• Allocate space for the text, photos, and illustrations that make up a story
• Approve final versions submitted by staff

Editors plan, coordinate, and revise material for publication in books, newspapers, magazines, or websites. Editors review story ideas and decide what material will appeal most to readers. They also review and edit drafts of books and articles, offer comments to improve the product, and suggest titles and headlines. In smaller organizations, a single editor may perform all of the editorial duties or share them with only a few other people.

The following are examples of types of editors:

Copy editors review copy for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling and check the copy for readability, style, and agreement with editorial policy. They suggest revisions, such as changing words and rearranging sentences and paragraphs to improve clarity or accuracy. They also may carry out research, confirm sources for writers, and verify facts, dates, and statistics. In addition, they may arrange page layouts of articles, photographs, and advertising.

Publication assistants who work for book-publishing houses may read and evaluate manuscripts submitted by freelance writers, proofread uncorrected proofs, and answer questions about published material. Assistants on small newspapers or in smaller media markets may compile articles available from wire services or the Internet, answer phones, and proofread articles.

Executive editors oversee assistant editors and generally have the final say about what stories are published and how they are covered. Executive editors typically hire writers, reporters, and other employees. They also plan budgets and negotiate contracts with freelance writers, sometimes called “stringers” in the news industry. Although many executive editors work for newspaper publishers, some work for television broadcasters, magazines, or advertising and public relations firms.

Assistant editors have responsibility for a particular subject, such as local news, international news, feature stories, or sports. Most assistant editors work for newspaper publishers, television broadcasters, magazines, book publishers, or advertising and public relations firms.

Managing editors typically work for magazines, newspaper publishers, and television broadcasters, and are responsible for the daily operation of a news department.

Work Environment

Editors usually work full time in offices.

Editors held about 127,200 jobs in 2010. The industries that employed the most editors in 2010 were:

Editors work mainly in offices, but advances in technology allow some editors to work wherever they have a computer. They often use desktop or electronic publishing software, scanners, and other electronic communications equipment to produce their material.

Jobs are somewhat concentrated in major media and entertainment markets—Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC—but improved communications and Internet capabilities now allow editors to work from a greater variety of locations.

Work Schedules

Editors’ schedules generally are determined by the production schedule and the type of editorial position. Most salaried editors work in busy offices much of the time and have to deal with production deadline pressures and the stresses of ensuring that the information they publish is accurate. As a result, editors often work long hours, especially at those times leading up to a publication deadline, which can be daily or even more frequently when an editor is editing material for the Internet or for a live broadcast.

Overseeing and coordinating multiple writing projects simultaneously is common among editors and may lead to stress, fatigue, or other chronic problems. Freelance editors face the added pressures of finding work on an ongoing basis and continually adjusting to new work environments.

Most editors work full time.

How to Become an Editor

A college degree is typically required for someone to be an editor.

A college degree is typically required for someone to be an editor. Proficiency with computers and communications equipment also is necessary.

Education and Training

Employers generally prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English. Those with other backgrounds who can show strong writing skills also may find jobs as editors. Editors who deal with specific subject matter may need experience related to that field. Fashion editors, for example, may need expertise in fashion that they get through formal training or work experience.

The ability to use computers and communications equipment is necessary for editors to stay in touch with writers and other editors and to work on the increasingly important online side of a publication. Familiarity with electronic publishing, graphics, Web design, and multimedia production is important as well, because more and more material is being read online.

Work Experience

Editors can gain experience by working on their high school and college newspapers, or for magazines, radio and television stations, advertising and publishing companies, or not-for-profit organizations. Magazines and newspapers also have internships for students. Interns may write stories, conduct research and interviews, and gain general publishing experience.

Many editors start off as writers or reporters. For more information, see the profiles on writers and authors and reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts. Those who are particularly skilled at identifying good stories, recognizing writing talent, and interacting with writers may be interested in editing jobs. 

Advancement

Except for copy editors, most editors hold management positions and must make decisions related to running a business. For them, advancement generally means moving up the corporate ladder or to publications with larger circulation or greater prestige. Copy editors may move into original writing or substantive editing positions or become freelancers.

Important Qualities

Creativity. Editors must be creative, be curious, and have knowledge in a broad range of topics. Some editors must regularly come up with interesting story ideas and attention-grabbing headlines.

Decision-making skills. Editors must decide if certain stories are ethical or if there is enough evidence to report them.

Detail oriented. One of an editor’s main tasks is to make sure that material is free of error and matches the style of a publication.

Interpersonal skills. In working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work.

Language skills. Editors must ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax. As a result, strong language skills are essential for an editor.

Writing skills. Editors should enjoy writing and must be excellent writers overall. They must have good knowledge of grammar and punctuation rules and be able to express ideas clearly and logically.

Pay

The median annual wage of editors was $51,470 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,880, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,800.

Editors’ schedules generally are determined by the production schedule and the type of editorial position. Most salaried editors work in busy offices much of the time and have to deal with production deadline pressures and the stresses of ensuring that the information they publish is accurate. As a result, editors often work long hours, especially at those times leading up to a publication deadline, which can be daily or even more frequently when an editor is editing material for the Internet or for a live broadcast.

Overseeing and coordinating multiple writing projects simultaneously is common among editors and may lead to stress, fatigue, or other chronic problems. Freelance editors face the added pressures of finding work on an ongoing basis and continually adjusting to new work environments.

Most editors work full time.

Job Outlook

Employment of editors is expected to experience little or no change from 2010 to 2020 as print media continue to face strong pressure from online publications. Despite some job growth for editors in online media, the number of traditional editing jobs in print newspapers and magazines is declining and will temper overall employment growth.

Job Prospects

Competition for jobs with established newspapers and magazines will be particularly strong because the publishing industry is projected to decline in employment. Editors who have adapted to online media and are comfortable writing for and working with a variety of electronic and digital tools should have an advantage in finding work. Some job openings will arise as workers retire, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force. Although the way in which people consume media is changing, editors will continue to add value by reviewing and revising drafts and keeping the style and voice of a publication consistent.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about editors, visit

American Copy Editors Society