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Associate editor vs assistant editor

The differences between associate editors and assistant 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 associate editor and an assistant editor. Additionally, an associate editor has an average salary of $55,999, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for an associate editor include wordpress, web content and SEO. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Associate editor vs assistant editor overview

Associate EditorAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$55,999$52,284
Hourly rate$26.92$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs4,6648,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an associate editor do?

The primary role of an Associate Editor is to ensure that subordinates submit high-quality content. They review and edit copies, set deadlines, and supervise the production details of magazines, newspapers, books, or websites.

What does an assistant editor do?

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.

Associate editor vs assistant editor salary

Associate editors and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Associate EditorAssistant Editor
Average salary$55,999$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $79,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityStoughton, MAHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyEli Lilly and CompanyApple
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between associate editor and assistant editor education

There are a few differences between an associate editor and an assistant editor in terms of educational background:

Associate EditorAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Associate editor vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between associate editors' and assistant editors' demographics:

Associate EditorAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 43.2% Female, 56.8%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between associate editor and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Associate editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead development and launch of typesetting service.
  • Project manage and write RFP submissions for private industry and federal request for proposals.
  • Manage proofreading process for RFP responses, collateral, and other documents to ensure consistency and high quality.
  • Assume full editorial responsibility when editor are unavailable, including managing social media accounts and assigning content to freelancers and photographers.
  • Share responsibility for site's twitter account.
  • Design and laid out client reports using InDesign and PowerPoint.
  • Show more

Assistant editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead bureau newsgathering in high-pressure, breaking news situations.
  • Manage the budget for all of VOA s primary newsgathering.
  • Produce e-newsletters, manage website content, write headlines and captions, utilize SEO and analyze digital traffic.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Ensure compliance with PRC and FDA guidelines.
  • Increase social media presence and traffic through Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Associate editor vs assistant editor skills

Common associate editor skills
  • WordPress, 9%
  • Web Content, 8%
  • SEO, 7%
  • Edit Content, 6%
  • Proofreading, 6%
  • Twitter, 3%
Common assistant editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 9%
  • Video Footage, 8%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • Production Process, 4%
  • Twitter, 3%

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