Occupation · SOC 27-3041
Editors
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
Median wage
$75,260
$36,200–$140,840
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
95,480
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
928 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingTime ManagementQuality Control AnalysisSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationMonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingCoordinationLearning StrategiesService OrientationSystems EvaluationMathematicsOperations AnalysisOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignProgrammingManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesOperation and ControlTroubleshootingScienceRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
English LanguageCommunications and MediaAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsGeographyHistory and ArcheologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesDesignSales and MarketingProduction and ProcessingMathematicsSociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyPsychologyPublic Safety and SecurityEconomics and AccountingTransportationForeign LanguageEngineering and TechnologyFine ArtsMedicine and DentistryBiologyPhysicsTherapy and CounselingMechanicalChemistryBuilding and ConstructionFood Production
Technology & tools
Adobe AcrobatAdobe After EffectsAdobe CaptivateAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe DreamweaverAdobe FrameMakerAdobe IllustratorAdobe InCopyAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAfter the DeadlineApple Final Cut ProApple iWork KeynoteApple macOSAutoCrit Editing WizardAvid Technology Media ComposerCCI NewsGateCascading style sheets CSSDrupalEditor Software StylewriterElite Minds RightWriterExtensible hypertext markup language XHTMLExtensible markup language XMLFacebookFile transfer protocol FTP softwareFileMaker ProGoogle AnalyticsGoogle DocsGoogle DriveGrammarly EditorHP Autonomy TeamSiteHypertext markup language HTMLInScribeLexisNexisLinkedInMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Project
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesThinking CreativelyCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAnalyzing Data or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersSelling or Influencing OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesControlling Machines and ProcessesAssisting and Caring for OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Spelling, punctuation, and syntax errors — identify and correct by reading copy carefully under direct editorial supervision in a print or digital newsroom.Standard reference sources — consult and apply to verify basic facts, dates, and statistics in submitted manuscripts with guidance from a senior editor.Word processing and document management software — use to track changes and annotate manuscripts during initial editorial review cycles.Submitted manuscripts — read and summarize key strengths and weaknesses for a senior editor's evaluation in a publishing or media environment.Reader and audience appeal — recognize and note when reviewing story or content ideas as part of an editorial team under close direction.Copy readability — improve through basic rewriting tasks assigned by a supervising editor in a structured editorial workflow.Desktop publishing and layout tools — operate at a foundational level to support production tasks under supervision in a publishing department.Editorial style guides — follow consistently when proofreading articles, newsletters, or web content in an entry-level editing role.Written drafts and articles — prepare short-form text such as news briefs or newsletter items under editorial direction in a media organization.Active listening and note-taking — apply during editorial meetings and author conferences to accurately capture feedback and revision instructions.
developing
Grammar, style, and factual accuracy — independently review and correct across a steady volume of copy in a digital or print publishing environment.Reference databases and primary sources — routinely consult to verify statistics, dates, and claims in feature articles with minimal supervisory oversight.Manuscripts and submitted content — evaluate for structure, voice, and audience fit, then communicate revision recommendations directly to authors.Content ideas and editorial pitches — develop and refine by applying knowledge of audience demographics and platform requirements in a media organization.Copy for multiple content formats — rewrite and edit to improve readability and consistency across web, print, and social media channels with reduced oversight.Publication production schedules — monitor and coordinate artwork, layout, and typesetting tasks to support on-time delivery within budget in a mid-size editorial team.Feature articles, editorials, and web content — write independently to fill editorial gaps or meet specific coverage needs in a newsroom or content studio.Graphics and photo imaging software — apply to review and approve visual assets for editorial accuracy and style compliance during production cycles.Junior writers and fact-checkers — provide structured feedback and day-to-day guidance as an established member of an editorial team.Competing editorial priorities — manage by applying time management techniques to balance multiple assignments against publication deadlines.
proficient
Complex or high-stakes manuscripts — evaluate autonomously for content, organization, and publishability, negotiating substantive revisions directly with authors in a professional publishing context.Multilayered factual claims — verify across primary and secondary sources, applying advanced research judgment to ensure editorial accuracy in investigative or specialized content.Full editorial scope — oversee independently, encompassing copy editing, structural revision, and final approval across a publication's complete content pipeline.Non-routine editorial problems — resolve using critical thinking and deductive reasoning, such as restructuring a failing series or pivoting content strategy mid-cycle.Publication production workflow — manage end-to-end, coordinating printers, designers, and digital teams to meet deadline and budget requirements without escalation.Reporters and staff editors — supervise and coordinate, assigning coverage, reviewing output, and maintaining editorial standards across a full team.Audience engagement and content strategy — develop story ideas informed by analytics, market trends, and editorial mission in a competitive media environment.Web platform and desktop publishing tools — deploy proficiently to manage digital production, CMS workflows, and layout quality control across multiple channels.Long-form articles, editorials, and specialized reports — write and publish to a high professional standard, adapting voice and structure to the outlet's editorial identity.Author and contributor relationships — negotiate revision expectations and manage sensitive editorial conflicts with professionalism and persuasive communication.
advanced
Editorial vision and content strategy — define and champion at the organizational level, setting long-term direction for a publication, media brand, or content division.Editorial standards and style policies — establish and institutionalize across an organization, ensuring consistency and integrity throughout all publication channels and teams.Senior editors and department leads — develop and mentor, building organizational capability by coaching advanced editorial judgment and leadership skills.Cross-functional publication production — lead at executive scale, aligning editorial, design, technology, and business teams around shared deadlines and quality standards.Organizational editorial budgets and resource allocation — oversee and optimize, making high-stakes decisions about staffing, tooling, and production investment in a media enterprise.Audience analytics and market intelligence — synthesize and translate into editorial strategy, directing content innovation that sustains competitive positioning and reader growth.Complex organizational problems in editorial operations — solve through systems analysis and strategic judgment, such as redesigning workflows in response to platform disruption.External stakeholders, contributors, and industry partners — represent the organization in negotiations, partnerships, and public forums as a principal editorial voice.Ethical and legal editorial risks — adjudicate at the final decision-making level, applying integrity and institutional judgment on issues of accuracy, fairness, and publication liability.Emerging editorial technologies and platforms — evaluate and lead adoption of new tools such as AI-assisted writing or multimedia production systems to advance organizational capacity.
Also known as
59 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Acquisitions EditorAcute EditorAdvertising EditorArt EditorAssignment EditorBook EditorBusiness EditorCensorCommunications EditorContent EditorContinuity EditorContinuity ReaderCopy ReaderDevelopment EditorDictionary EditorDigital EditorEditorEditorial SpecialistFashion EditorFeatures EditorFood EditorGreeting Card EditorIndex EditorLegal EditorMagazine EditorMake Up EditorManuscript EditorManuscript ReaderMarket EditorMedical EditorNews EditorNewspaper Copy EditorNewspaper EditorNewspaper Managing EditorNewspaper Photo EditorOnline Content EditorOpinion EditorPhoto EditorPlay ReaderProduction Editor