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The differences between editors 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 and an assistant editor. Additionally, an assistant editor has an average salary of $52,284, which is higher than the $52,107 average annual salary of an editor.
The top three skills for an editor include web content, video content and SEO. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.
| Editor | Assistant Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $52,107 | $52,284 |
| Hourly rate | $25.05 | $25.14 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 15,115 | 8,716 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An editor is the one responsible for polishing and refining a story, article, and any material for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or websites. Editors have the power to either accept or reject a material as they need to ensure that every manuscript which will be offered for publishing is at the best version as it can be. There are several types of editors, from copy editors, books to managing editors, but they have few skills in common, like strong writing skills, good judgment, and leadership abilities to help guide the whole editorial team. Most of them work in the office, but it is quite becoming more regular for them to work remotely.
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.
Editors and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Editor | Assistant Editor | |
| Average salary | $52,107 | $52,284 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $78,000 | Between $34,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Huntington, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Media |
There are a few differences between an editor and an assistant editor in terms of educational background:
| Editor | Assistant Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between editors' and assistant editors' demographics:
| Editor | Assistant Editor | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.4% Female, 53.6% | Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |