Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between associate 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 associate editor and a production editor. Additionally, an associate editor has an average salary of $55,999, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.
The top three skills for an associate editor include wordpress, web content and SEO. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Associate Editor | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $55,999 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $26.92 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 4,664 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Associate editors and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $55,999 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $79,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Stoughton, MA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Media | Media |
There are a few differences between an associate editor and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Associate 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 associate editors' and production editors' demographics:
| Associate Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.2% Female, 56.8% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 3.6% 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% |