What does an Editor do?
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.
Editor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real editor resumes:
- Manage content QC and Disney client QC of create content.
- Manage campaign performance through data analysis and reporting, with actionable takeaways per designate KPI.
- Manage and create newsletter archives for NASA: http: //www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/home/index.html
- Manage business documentation for the department's strategic alignment SharePoint database.
- Develop SEO strategies to increase profitability and manage social media to spread brand awareness and bolster readership.
- Manage international man-made fiber market research/publishing company and supervise editorial content and sales of industry statistical journal.
- Edit social media marketing materials for YouTube and Instagram.
- Help develop internal social media topics for Facebook and Instagram.
- Operate studio cameras and teleprompter for daily newscasts.
- Appear on CNN, ABC, NBC, VH1 for entertainment segments.
- Organize and archive all footage, roll tapes for live newscast, send feeds to CNN and ABC.
- Prep projects from ingest to Multicam sync.
- Import media, transcode, sync audio and video.
- Pull b-roll and interview selects, reaction shots, and cutaways.
- Handle transcode, sound sync and initial log of all incoming footage
Editor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Editors are proficient in Web Content, Video Content, and SEO. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Good judgment.
We break down the percentage of Editors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Web Content, 13%
Guided and developed Web content; consistently received excellent magazine readership survey ratings.
- Video Content, 9%
Edited and designed graphics and animations for web-based educational video content.
- SEO, 6%
Utilize content management systems and SEO metadata to provide quality finished VOD products to both domestic and international customers.
- Facebook, 4%
Create and maintain breaking news feed linked to Facebook/Twitter and Campus television channel to increase information travel speed and visibility
- Editor-In-Chief, 4%
Reviewed submitted manuscripts, brainstormed & implemented promotional strategies, tracked community involvement, and planned literary events with the editor-in-chief.
- Twitter, 3%
Manage Twitter presence including writing and scheduling sponsored Tweets and interacting with the community by answering questions and offering encouragement.
"web content," "video content," and "seo" are among the most common skills that editors use at work. You can find even more editor responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for an editor to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics." Additionally, an editor resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "post production, adobe creative suite software: adobe premiere, adobe after effects. "
Detail oriented. Many editor duties rely on detail oriented. "editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication.," so an editor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways editor responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "produced news and sports-oriented videos for falls church patch using adobe premiere. "
Good judgment. This is an important skill for editors to perform their duties. For an example of how editor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an editor: "utilized content planning, news judgment and seo for maximum audience reach. ".
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what editors do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to editor responsibilities because "in working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical editor tasks: "coordinated interpersonal relations between editorial staff, artists, writers and judges. "
Writing skills. Another common skill required for editor responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of editors all the time, as "editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax." An excerpt from a real editor resume shows how this skill is central to what an editor does: "demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, marketing, content development, and product management. "
The three companies that hire the most editors are:
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
216 editors jobs
- General Dynamics107 editors jobs
- Arrow Electronics99 editors jobs
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Compare different editors
Editor vs. Freelance videographer/editor
A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between editors and freelance videographer/editor. For instance, editor responsibilities require skills such as "web content," "seo," "editor-in-chief," and "powerpoint." Whereas a freelance videographer/editor is skilled in "training videos," "video production," "camera operation," and "video projects." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Freelance videographer/editors tend to reach lower levels of education than editors. In fact, freelance videographer/editors are 6.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Editor vs. Technical writer and editor
A technical writer and editor is primarily responsible for producing written content that defines and explains technical concepts to inform and educate readers. As a writer, it is essential to research and fact-check details to ensure the material's accuracy and value. They mostly follow directives and complete materials within an allotted deadline and format. Moreover, as an editor, they must also review and proofread materials for any errors and inconsistencies, perform corrective measures, and revise as needed.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real editor resumes. While editor responsibilities can utilize skills like "video content," "facebook," "editor-in-chief," and "twitter," technical writer and editors use skills like "technical documentation," "technical specifications," "dod," and "engineering drawings."
On average, technical writer and editors earn a higher salary than editors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technical writer and editors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $63,553. Whereas editors have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,170.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Technical writer and editors tend to reach similar levels of education than editors. In fact, they're 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Editors in the next 3-5 years?
Bradley Shreve
Editor, Tribal College Journal
Editor vs. Freelance video editor
A freelance video editor offers video editing services to individuals and businesses. Most freelance video editors manage their own time and work at their preferred places, some even working from home. Among their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, negotiating contracts, gathering and editing clips, and completing projects within deadlines. There are also instances when they must shoot videos in adherence to the contract's terms. Moreover, a freelance video editor must establish positive relationships with clients to develop a strong client base.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from editor resumes include skills like "seo," "editor-in-chief," "twitter," and "powerpoint," whereas a freelance video editor is more likely to list skills in "training videos," "motion graphics," "adobe premiere pro," and "edit video. "
Most freelance video editors achieve a similar degree level compared to editors. For example, they're 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Editor vs. Photographer, editor
A Photographer, Editor selects, edits, and positions photos in print and web publications. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications.
Types of editor
Updated January 8, 2025
