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Editor, freelance vs managing editor

The differences between editors, freelance and managing 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, freelance and a managing editor. Additionally, a managing editor has an average salary of $89,060, which is higher than the $67,947 average annual salary of an editor, freelance.

The top three skills for an editor, freelance include music videos, web content and fiction. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.

Editor, freelance vs managing editor overview

Editor, FreelanceManaging Editor
Yearly salary$67,947$89,060
Hourly rate$32.67$42.82
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs8,60816,781
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an editor, freelance do?

An Editor, Freelance is responsible for reading content and correcting for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. They work with writers to help their ideas and stories succeed.

What does a managing editor do?

Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.

Editor, freelance vs managing editor salary

Editors, freelance and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Editor, FreelanceManaging Editor
Average salary$67,947$89,060
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $102,000Between $59,000 And $132,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Federal Reserve Bank
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between editor, freelance and managing editor education

There are a few differences between an editor, freelance and a managing editor in terms of educational background:

Editor, FreelanceManaging Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorEnglishJournalism
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editor, freelance vs managing editor demographics

Here are the differences between editors, freelance' and managing editors' demographics:

Editor, FreelanceManaging Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.3% Female, 58.7%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between editor, freelance and managing editor duties and responsibilities

Editor, freelance example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media pages such as Facebook and Pinterest to promote.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Review promotional materials to ensure that legal and FDA requirements are meet.
  • Perform editing services for manuscripts submit for publication; editing fiction and non-fiction submissions.
  • Create video compression settings for YouTube upload.
  • Proofread PDF shoe catalog and compare against source spreadsheet.
  • Show more

Managing editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage programs such as schedule overhaul, YouTube channel creation, and new blog site.
  • Manage editorial process: assigning stories to line-editing to HTML publishing/page placement.
  • Manage editorial departments: ensure timely receipt of copy and photos, including coordinating and overseeing all freelance and in-house submissions.
  • Edit and proofread submissions for weekly publication.
  • Proofread and edit articles for several UN publications.
  • Launch and create the first digital edition online and via iPad.
  • Show more

Editor, freelance vs managing editor skills

Common editor, freelance skills
  • Music Videos, 14%
  • Web Content, 9%
  • Fiction, 6%
  • Track Changes, 5%
  • Promotional Videos, 4%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 4%
Common managing editor skills
  • Web Content, 13%
  • Editorial Content, 10%
  • SEO, 7%
  • Editorial Calendar, 5%
  • Digital Content, 5%
  • Editor-In-Chief, 4%

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