Editors
SOC Code: 27-3041Also known as:
Acquisitions Editor, Acute Editor, Advertising Editor, Art Editor, Assignment Editor
Median Annual Salary
$75,260
+0.6% growth (2024-2034)
10K
Openings/Year
116K
Current Jobs
What Editors Do
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
💰 Salary
$75,260
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+0.6%
Little or no change
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
10K
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
Less than 5 years
Required before entry
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
115,800
Projected Employment (2034)
116,500
Related Careers
News analysts, reporters, and journalists
$60,280 •
-3.9% growth
Writers and authors
$72,270 •
+3.6% growth
Film and video editors
$70,980 •
+4.0% growth
Proofreaders and copy markers
$49,210 •
-0.6% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
- Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
- Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
- Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.
- Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Editors
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a editors:
Communication, General
11,299 degrees awarded •
366 colleges offer this program
Journalism
9,378 degrees awarded •
361 colleges offer this program
Mass Communication/Media Studies
8,694 degrees awarded •
314 colleges offer this program
Creative Writing
7,423 degrees awarded •
441 colleges offer this program
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
2,835 degrees awarded •
159 colleges offer this program
Rhetoric and Composition
1,400 degrees awarded •
86 colleges offer this program
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
1,080 degrees awarded •
67 colleges offer this program
Business/Corporate Communications, General
801 degrees awarded •
57 colleges offer this program
Writing, General
765 degrees awarded •
108 colleges offer this program
Broadcast Journalism
757 degrees awarded •
54 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Editors
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become editors.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do editors make?
The median annual salary for editors is $75,260.
What education do editors need?
Most editors positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Communication, General, Journalism, Mass Communication/Media Studies.
Is becoming editors a good career choice?
Editors is projected to see +0.6% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 9,800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for editors?
Top colleges for aspiring editors include
University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Santa Barbara, University of Florida, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of California-Berkeley.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to editors?
Editors may also be known as: Acquisitions Editor, Acute Editor, Advertising Editor, Art Editor, Assignment Editor, Book Editor, Business Editor, Censor, Communications Editor, Content Editor, Continuity Editor, Continuity Reader, Copy Reader, Dictionary Editor, Digital Editor, Editor, Editorial Specialist, Fashion Editor, Features Editor, Food Editor.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.