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Editor/director vs assistant editor

The differences between editor/directors 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 editor/director and an assistant editor. Additionally, an editor/director has an average salary of $53,599, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for an editor/director include music videos, video production and adobe premiere pro. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Editor/director vs assistant editor overview

Editor/DirectorAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$53,599$52,284
Hourly rate$25.77$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs9,1078,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an editor/director do?

An editor/director is someone whose work involves video production, assessment of content that a company creates before publishing, and editing of digital media, such as music videos. The essential skills that an editor/director should possess to accomplish his/her or her responsibilities include possessing good judgment and writing skills and having a keen eye for details. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in communication, digital media, photography, or a related field.

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.

Editor/director vs assistant editor salary

Editor/directors and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Editor/DirectorAssistant Editor
Average salary$53,599$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $90,000Between $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 editor/director and assistant editor education

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

Editor/DirectorAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorPhotographyEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editor/director vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between editor/directors' and assistant editors' demographics:

Editor/DirectorAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 75.4% Female, 24.6%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, 76.2% 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 editor/director and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Editor/director example responsibilities.

  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Maintain and update social media including Youtube and Facebook accounts.
  • Perform principle of photography for interview, commercials, and TV shows.
  • Conceive, authore and edit retirement DVD and web content for the center's long time director.
  • Prepare small sample clips to be shown to producers and directors; implement editing notes per their feedback.
  • Produce, direct and operate camera for event coverage to deliver broadcast programs, DVD's and website segments.
  • 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

Editor/director vs assistant editor skills

Common editor/director skills
  • Music Videos, 28%
  • Video Production, 8%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 5%
  • Web Series, 4%
  • Photography, 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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