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
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.