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Editor/director vs production editor

The differences between editor/directors 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 editor/director and a production editor. Additionally, an editor/director has an average salary of $53,599, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.

The top three skills for an editor/director include music videos, video production and adobe premiere pro. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

Editor/director vs production editor overview

Editor/DirectorProduction Editor
Yearly salary$53,599$53,275
Hourly rate$25.77$25.61
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs9,10762,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
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 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.

Editor/director vs production editor salary

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

Editor/DirectorProduction Editor
Average salary$53,599$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $90,000Between $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 editor/director and production editor education

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

Editor/DirectorProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorPhotographyEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editor/director vs production editor demographics

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

Editor/DirectorProduction Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 75.4% Female, 24.6%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
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, 3.6% 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 editor/director and production 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

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

Editor/director vs production 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 production editor skills
  • Proofreading, 15%
  • Editorial Production, 9%
  • Production Process, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Fiction, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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