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The differences between assistant editors and production editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an assistant editor and a production editor. Additionally, a production editor has an average salary of $53,275, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.
The top three skills for an assistant editor include editorial content, video footage and web content. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Assistant Editor | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $52,284 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $25.14 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 8,716 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An assistant editor is an individual responsible for assisting an editor-in-chief or editor-at-large of a newspaper, magazine, radio program, or website. Assistant editors hold meetings with staff and freelance writers to discuss new, fresh and original content for projects on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They review assignments handed in by writers or reporters for sense, accuracy, readability, and content. Assistant editors must also utilize new media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to an article or cause.
A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.
Assistant editors and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $52,284 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $78,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Huntington, NY | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Apple | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Media | Media |
There are a few differences between an assistant editor and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Editor | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between assistant editors' and production editors' demographics:
| Assistant Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |