Alternate Title(s) | N/A |
Minimum Education Requirements | Bachelor's degree |
Salary | See Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information |
Job Skills | - Creativity. Editors must be creative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics. Some editors must regularly come up with interesting story ideas and attention-grabbing headlines. - Detail oriented. One of an editor’s main tasks is to make sure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication. - Good judgment. Editors must decide if certain stories are ethical or if there is enough evidence to report them. - Interpersonal skills. In working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work. - Writing skills. Editors must ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Editors must be able to write clearly and logically. |
Job Duties | Editors typically do the following: - Read content and correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors - Rewrite text to make it easier for readers 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 - Develop story and content ideas according to the publication’s style and editorial policy - Allocate space for the text, photos, and illustrations that make up a story - Approve final versions submitted by staff |
Job Profile | 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. During the review process, editors 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 information presented within this occupational profile was synthesized from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Handbook of Occupational Groups & Families.