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Editor, freelance vs production editor

The differences between editors, freelance 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, freelance and a production editor. Additionally, an editor, freelance has an average salary of $67,947, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.

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

Editor, freelance vs production editor overview

Editor, FreelanceProduction Editor
Yearly salary$67,947$53,275
Hourly rate$32.67$25.61
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs8,60862,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
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 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, freelance vs production editor salary

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

Editor, FreelanceProduction Editor
Average salary$67,947$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $102,000Between $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, freelance and production editor education

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

Editor, FreelanceProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Editor, freelance vs production editor demographics

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

Editor, FreelanceProduction Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.3% Female, 58.7%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
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, 3.6% 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, freelance and production 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

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, freelance vs production editor skills

Common editor, freelance skills
  • Music Videos, 14%
  • Web Content, 9%
  • Fiction, 6%
  • Track Changes, 5%
  • Promotional Videos, 4%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 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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