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Editing internship vs production editor

The differences between editing interns 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 an editing internship and a production editor. Additionally, a production editor has an average salary of $53,275, 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 a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

Editing internship vs production editor overview

Editing InternshipProduction Editor
Yearly salary$35,035$53,275
Hourly rate$16.84$25.61
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs49,31562,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
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 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.

Editing internship vs production editor salary

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

Editing InternshipProduction Editor
Average salary$35,035$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $44,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City-Hartford, CT
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between editing internship and production editor education

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

Editing InternshipProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editing internship vs production editor demographics

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

Editing InternshipProduction Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 47.8% Female, 52.2%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 editing internship and production 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

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

Editing internship vs production editor skills

Common editing internship skills
  • Video Footage, 28%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 7%
  • Photography, 4%
  • Press Releases, 3%
  • YouTube, 3%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 3%
Common production editor skills
  • Proofreading, 15%
  • Editorial Production, 9%
  • Production Process, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Fiction, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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