What Does an Editor Do?
Most universities, magazines and newsrooms put (or should put) a lot of care into the words that carry their name. That care is the editor's job. Editors handle a wide range of tasks depending on the publication and the size of its staff, from planning issues and assigning stories to fixing sentences and checking facts before anything goes out.
Also known as: Publications Specialist, Assistant Editor, Assistant Magazine Editor, Associate Editor, Staff Newspaper Editor, Project Editor, Electronic Editor, Magazine Editor, Media Editor
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Acquisitions Editor, Business Editor, Features Editor, Legal Editor, News Editor, Newspaper Copy Editor, Science Editor, Sports Editor.
Editor Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of an editor include:
- Edit articles, reports and web copy for accuracy, clarity, grammar and house style.
- Plan issues and content calendars with writers, designers and the publications manager.
- Assign stories to staff and freelance writers, setting length, angle and deadline for each.
- Check facts, names, titles and figures against sources; query writers when something does not add up.
- Write headlines, captions and summaries that tell readers quickly what each piece offers.
- Read page proofs before print and web previews before publishing; sign off final versions.
- Keep the style guide current and settle questions of usage for the whole team.
- Give writers clear, specific feedback that helps them improve the next draft.
- Post and update stories in the content management system, adding links, tags and images.
- Weigh legal and ethical risks, such as libel or privacy, before sensitive stories run.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as an editor, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Command of AP or Chicago style
- Sharp grammar, spelling and fact-checking
- Content management systems such as WordPress
- Giving tactful feedback to writers
- Headline and caption writing
- Judging news value and audience interest
- Working to tight, overlapping deadlines
- Bachelor's degree in English, journalism or communications
Education and Training
Most editors learn through a bachelor's degree in English, journalism or communications, but some start out by writing for a campus paper or working as a proofreader. Employers usually want a few years of writing or editing experience. Knowing AP or Chicago style is expected.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $57,300 - $106,100 per year, with a median of $77,920.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Editors.
According to BLS, employment of editors is projected to slip about 1 percent in the decade ending in 2035. While that is close to flat, the group should still see roughly 7,900 openings a year, mostly as editors retire or move into other work. The median annual wage for editors was about $77,900 in May 2025. Newcomers with web, social and multimedia skills tend to have the widest choice of openings.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Editors.
Editor Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $41,250 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $57,300 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $77,920 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $106,100 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $153,700 |
Highest-Paying States for Editors
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are New York ($101,480), California ($98,030), Connecticut ($85,950), District of Columbia ($83,920), Massachusetts ($83,170). Pay is lowest in Wyoming ($46,710), Nebraska ($46,320), Texas ($45,950).
Median pay in all 50 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $63,330 |
| Alaska | $63,630 |
| Arizona | $63,090 |
| Arkansas | $50,180 |
| California | $98,030 |
| Colorado | $77,870 |
| Connecticut | $85,950 |
| Delaware | $75,020 |
| District of Columbia | $83,920 |
| Florida | $73,950 |
| Georgia | $76,650 |
| Hawaii | $55,070 |
| Illinois | $76,060 |
| Indiana | $56,440 |
| Iowa | $57,200 |
| Kansas | $61,920 |
| Kentucky | $59,430 |
| Louisiana | $58,860 |
| Maine | $50,180 |
| Maryland | $75,550 |
| Massachusetts | $83,170 |
| Michigan | $63,090 |
| Minnesota | $62,650 |
| Mississippi | $54,380 |
| Missouri | $61,620 |
| Montana | $61,750 |
| Nebraska | $46,320 |
| Nevada | $72,510 |
| New Hampshire | $66,510 |
| New Jersey | $81,680 |
| New Mexico | $64,250 |
| New York | $101,480 |
| North Carolina | $73,740 |
| North Dakota | $60,520 |
| Ohio | $72,160 |
| Oklahoma | $50,780 |
| Oregon | $71,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,460 |
| Rhode Island | $77,960 |
| South Carolina | $62,000 |
| South Dakota | $56,730 |
| Tennessee | $59,550 |
| Texas | $45,950 |
| Utah | $65,040 |
| Vermont | $66,860 |
| Virginia | $80,590 |
| Washington | $77,850 |
| West Virginia | $56,630 |
| Wisconsin | $64,270 |
| Wyoming | $46,710 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as editors about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 95% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 94% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 90% use email every day
- 80% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 77% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 67% work against deadlines every day
- 62% are on the phone every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 80% |
| Master's degree | 17% |
Tools and Software Editors Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy creative work and self-expression as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Reading Comprehension, Writing, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Time Management.
Knowledge areas used most: English Language, Communications and Media, Administration and Management, Administrative, Education and Training.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for an Editor Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 27-3041.00 (Editors). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.