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Deputy editor vs production editor

The differences between deputy 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 deputy editor and a production editor. Additionally, a deputy editor has an average salary of $96,894, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.

The top three skills for a deputy editor include SEO, editorial calendar and editor-in-chief. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

Deputy editor vs production editor overview

Deputy EditorProduction Editor
Yearly salary$96,894$53,275
Hourly rate$46.58$25.61
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs13,47562,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
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 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.

Deputy editor vs production editor salary

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

Deputy EditorProduction Editor
Average salary$96,894$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $186,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYHartford, CT
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyThe Daily DotRobert A.M. Stern Architects
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between deputy editor and production editor education

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

Deputy EditorProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Deputy editor vs production editor demographics

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

Deputy EditorProduction Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 54.3% Female, 45.7%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
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, 3.6% 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 deputy editor and production 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

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

Deputy editor vs production editor skills

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