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Copy editor vs editor in chief

The differences between copy editors and editors in chief can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a copy editor and an editor in chief. Additionally, a copy editor has an average salary of $62,599, which is higher than the $54,751 average annual salary of an editor in chief.

The top three skills for a copy editor include proofreading, house style and digital publishing. The most important skills for an editor in chief are editor-in-chief, edit content, and website content.

Copy editor vs editor in chief overview

Copy EditorEditor In Chief
Yearly salary$62,599$54,751
Hourly rate$30.10$26.32
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs4,86625,056
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Copy editor vs editor in chief salary

Copy editors and editors in chief have different pay scales, as shown below.

Copy EditorEditor In Chief
Average salary$62,599$54,751
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $98,000Between $36,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyPayPalBroadridge
Best paying industryFinanceEducation

Differences between copy editor and editor in chief education

There are a few differences between a copy editor and an editor in chief in terms of educational background:

Copy EditorEditor In Chief
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Copy editor vs editor in chief demographics

Here are the differences between copy editors' and editors in chief' demographics:

Copy EditorEditor In Chief
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 39.2% Female, 60.8%Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between copy editor and editor in chief duties and responsibilities

Copy editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage copy editing and proofreading responsibilities of weekly business newspaper and special supplements.
  • Collaborate with managing editor and editor-in-chief to develop and post news coverage and multimedia projects.
  • Supervise editorial services and manage workload for multiple complex projects offering professional development training for educators via online and classroom delivery.
  • Compile NHL, NBA, NFL, golf and college roundups, and laid out the scoreboard page.
  • Call upon to produce special pages for NHL and NBA previews.
  • Serve as lead copy editor for NASCAR, college football, college basketball and NFL sections.
  • Show more

Editor in chief example responsibilities.

  • Manage weekly flash fiction competition.
  • Operate the fundamental uses of HTML and WordPress.
  • Leverage SEO and social media strategies to build credibility, increase exposure, and create links back to site.
  • Used inbound marketing techniques including regular blog updates, SEO and social media to drive new traffic to the site.
  • Select, proofread, and edit pieces of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in collaboration with a team of editors.
  • Edit PowerPoint presentations and print materials across organizational levels.
  • Show more

Copy editor vs editor in chief skills

Common copy editor skills
  • Proofreading, 12%
  • House Style, 8%
  • Digital Publishing, 6%
  • Fact Check, 6%
  • SEO, 5%
  • Web Content, 5%
Common editor in chief skills
  • Editor-In-Chief, 18%
  • Edit Content, 15%
  • Website Content, 14%
  • Editorial Direction, 5%
  • Editorial Board, 4%
  • Photography, 4%

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