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Business editor vs assistant editor

The differences between business 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 a business editor and an assistant editor. Additionally, a business editor has an average salary of $57,160, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for a business editor include SEO, editorial content and real estate. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Business editor vs assistant editor overview

Business EditorAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$57,160$52,284
Hourly rate$27.48$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs48,4918,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a business editor do?

A business editor oversees the operations of the business news department of publication companies or similar establishments. Although their duties vary upon their place or company of employment, it usually includes taking on a managerial role wherein they must manage a group of business writers, delegate responsibilities, assign business events to reporters, set deadlines, and develop strategies to gain the public's interest. They also participate in writing news materials, proofreading articles, conducting interviews, and establishing guidelines. Moreover, a business editor maintains an open and transparent communication line with fellow editors for an efficient workflow.

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.

Business editor vs assistant editor salary

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

Business EditorAssistant Editor
Average salary$57,160$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $79,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyIBMApple
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalMedia

Differences between business editor and assistant editor education

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

Business EditorAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Business editor vs assistant editor demographics

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

Business EditorAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 60.3% Female, 39.7%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.2% 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 business editor and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Business editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and create newsletter archives for NASA: http: //www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/home/index.html
  • Cover international trade, foreign debt, decentralization and other business and economic issues for English edition of Brazilian business daily.
  • Put together community orient newspaper with provide clips and write feature and cover stories.
  • Copy editor, assistant editor, daily news reporter for top English-language daily in Mexico

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

Business editor vs assistant editor skills

Common business editor skills
  • SEO, 18%
  • Editorial Content, 13%
  • Real Estate, 8%
  • Business Topics, 8%
  • Press Releases, 7%
  • Edition, 6%
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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