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Editing internship vs assistant editor

The differences between editing interns 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 an editing internship and an assistant editor. Additionally, an assistant editor has an average salary of $52,284, which is higher than the $35,035 average annual salary of an editing internship.

The top three skills for an editing internship include video footage, adobe photoshop and photography. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Editing internship vs assistant editor overview

Editing InternshipAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$35,035$52,284
Hourly rate$16.84$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs49,3158,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an editing internship do?

An editorial intern is responsible for assisting the editorial department of an organization with publishing various media and digital content. Editorial interns shadow tenured editorial staff on researching stories, validating information, writing captivating articles, interviewing target audiences, and screening submitted manuscripts. They also assist in planning promotional strategies and marketing campaigns, such as monitoring press releases, posting on social media platforms, and developing marketing materials. An editorial intern must have excellent organizational skills, most importantly, a fast-learner to understand complex tasks and perform assigned duties under minimal supervision.

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.

Editing internship vs assistant editor salary

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

Editing InternshipAssistant Editor
Average salary$35,035$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $44,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City-Huntington, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between editing internship and assistant editor education

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

Editing InternshipAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editing internship vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between editing interns' and assistant editors' demographics:

Editing InternshipAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 47.8% Female, 52.2%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 editing internship and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Editing internship example responsibilities.

  • Support editor-in-chief in managing a yearbook staff.
  • Develop SEO strategies to increase profitability and manage social media to spread brand awareness and bolster readership.
  • Edit social media posts for Instagram and Facebook.
  • Produce and edit video for the C1RCA Instagram feed.
  • Specialize in blogging, twitter, and Facebook networking.
  • Assist editor-in-chief in determining layout designs, deadlines, and content.
  • 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

Editing internship vs assistant editor skills

Common editing internship skills
  • Video Footage, 28%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 7%
  • Photography, 4%
  • Press Releases, 3%
  • YouTube, 3%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 3%
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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