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Business editor vs production editor

The differences between business 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 a business editor and a production editor. Additionally, a business editor has an average salary of $57,160, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.

The top three skills for a business editor include SEO, editorial content and real estate. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

Business editor vs production editor overview

Business EditorProduction Editor
Yearly salary$57,160$53,275
Hourly rate$27.48$25.61
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs48,49162,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
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 a production editor do?

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.

Business editor vs production editor salary

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

Business EditorProduction Editor
Average salary$57,160$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $79,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYHartford, CT
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyIBMRobert A.M. Stern Architects
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalMedia

Differences between business editor and production editor education

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

Business EditorProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Business editor vs production editor demographics

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

Business EditorProduction Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 60.3% Female, 39.7%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between business editor and production 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

Production editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage integration and implementation of site search and train staff on strategic SEO and web best practices.
  • Manage research and identification of all clips and pictures used in the documentary for the purpose of credit and compensation.
  • Typeset editorial content and manage paste-up board production.
  • Boost usability by managing content migration to iApps, leading maintenance & data/functionality QA.
  • Assume full editorial responsibility when editor are unavailable, including managing social media accounts and assigning content to freelancers and photographers.
  • Update online versions of books using UNIX, HTML, and XML technologies.
  • Show more

Business editor vs production editor skills

Common business editor skills
  • SEO, 18%
  • Editorial Content, 13%
  • Real Estate, 8%
  • Business Topics, 8%
  • Press Releases, 7%
  • Edition, 6%
Common production editor skills
  • Proofreading, 15%
  • Editorial Production, 9%
  • Production Process, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Fiction, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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