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Digital editor vs assistant editor

The differences between digital 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 digital editor and an assistant editor. Additionally, a digital editor has an average salary of $60,710, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for a digital editor include digital content, instagram and facebook. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Digital editor vs assistant editor overview

Digital EditorAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$60,710$52,284
Hourly rate$29.19$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs22,5008,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a digital editor do?

Digital Editors research, create and produce images and content used on a website. They are involved in copywriting, editing, proofreading, and supervising artwork, graphics, and video. They use knowledge in SEO and social media marketing to optimize traffic. They determine KPI, track website traffic, and produce a report for presentation. They also work with cross-functional teams such as marketing and web design to improve overall content strategy. A Digital Editor must have in-depth knowledge of Adobe Creative Suites to render attractive web designs.

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.

Digital editor vs assistant editor salary

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

Digital EditorAssistant Editor
Average salary$60,710$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $84,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyServiceNowApple
Best paying industryProfessionalMedia

Differences between digital editor and assistant editor education

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

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

Digital editor vs assistant editor demographics

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

Digital EditorAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 54.5% Female, 45.5%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.3% 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 digital editor and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Digital editor example responsibilities.

  • Develop SEO strategies to increase profitability and manage social media to spread brand awareness and bolster readership.
  • Create Facebook posts to alert readers to upcoming breaking news stories.
  • Use front-end web development technologies such as HTML, CSS and Javascript to develop special pages.
  • Coordinate, schedule and curate Facebook ads.
  • Apply knowledge of SEO techniques and upload blog content using WordPress platform.
  • Design and develop a modern, responsive WordPress website to fit the content management requirements.
  • 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

Digital editor vs assistant editor skills

Common digital editor skills
  • Digital Content, 8%
  • Instagram, 5%
  • Facebook, 5%
  • Digital Platforms, 5%
  • Twitter, 4%
  • Video Content, 4%
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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