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Deputy editor vs assistant editor

The differences between deputy 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 deputy editor and an assistant editor. Additionally, a deputy editor has an average salary of $96,894, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for a deputy editor include SEO, editorial calendar and editor-in-chief. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Deputy editor vs assistant editor overview

Deputy EditorAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$96,894$52,284
Hourly rate$46.58$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs13,4758,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a deputy editor do?

A deputy editor provides support to the senior editor in overseeing a publishing company's daily operations. They primarily edit and review written materials for print and online publication, supervise the writers, manage budgets and timelines, present regular reports to the senior editor, and conduct evaluations to ensure procedures adhere to standards. They also work together with fellow editors to plan story concepts and strategies, manage editorial calendars, and delegate responsibilities among writers. Moreover, there are also times when a deputy editor writes and develops articles.

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.

Deputy editor vs assistant editor salary

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

Deputy EditorAssistant Editor
Average salary$96,894$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $186,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyThe Daily DotApple
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between deputy editor and assistant editor education

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

Deputy EditorAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Deputy editor vs assistant editor demographics

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

Deputy EditorAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 54.3% Female, 45.7%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
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, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between deputy editor and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Deputy editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage SEO efforts through oversight of headline creation/editing and copy editing.
  • Lead round-the-clock daily editorial operations for outlet with industry-leading track record for accuracy and speed.
  • Oversee layout, content, copy editing, production, photography, editorial calendar, budget and advertising in the magazines.
  • Upload daily stories to Wordpress.
  • Authore HTML and CSS, and administer user experience (UX) initiatives.
  • Oversee SEO best practices and training of editorial team in those practices across all properties.
  • 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

Deputy editor vs assistant editor skills

Common deputy editor skills
  • SEO, 12%
  • Editorial Calendar, 9%
  • Editor-In-Chief, 9%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • News Stories, 6%
  • WordPress, 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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