How To Become An Editor & Producer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an editor & producer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Johnathan Paul

A production editor oversees all the production processes that lead to the release of a publication. They are responsible for proofreading, editing, and formatting manuscripts and recommending improvements to ensure quality and accurate production. They also use their managerial skills to manage publication staff, enforce quality standards, and set deadlines for projects.

A production editor works closely with writers, vendors, editors, designers, production staff, and their clients to ensure they deliver quality work within the stipulated timelines. They usually work for newspapers, magazines, web publications, broadcasting stations, and publishing companies. A successful production editor should have an in-depth knowledge of publication matters, creativity, writing skills, attention to detail, communication skills, organization skills, and time management skills.

Production editors work in an office setting. They spend prolonged amounts of time on a computer conducting reviews, editing, and communicating with stakeholders. They usually work long hours and barely have a regular work schedule.

What general advice would you give to an editor & producer?

Johnathan Paul

Adjunct Professor, University of North Texas

My number one piece of advice for soon-to-be or recent graduates is never to stop learning. I always strive to tell my students to be as diverse as possible. Don't just know one thing; in today's market, you need to know how to do several things. Diversify your tool palette. This will help you in the long run and may lead you to a career path you didn't realize existed.

ScoreEditor & ProducerUS Average

Salary

3.9

Avg. Salary $50,200

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.2

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 6.34%

Black or African American 7.83%

Hispanic or Latino 14.39%

Unknown 5.57%

White 65.70%

Gender

female 24.96%

male 75.04%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

9.2

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an editor & producer

Explore editor & producer education requirements

Most common editor & producer degrees

Bachelor's

79.5 %

Associate

10.0 %

Master's

7.4 %

Start to develop specific editor & producer skills

Skills	Percentages
Video Production	8.58%
Video Content	7.62%
Facebook	5.84%
Twitter	5.42%
Instagram	5.38%

Complete relevant editor & producer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New editor & producers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an editor & producer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real editor & producer resumes.

Research editor & producer duties and responsibilities

Manage and resolve editorial disagreements across relevant departmental staff to join up an organizational narrative on each output.
Produce and request graphics using AP ENPS.
Produce online shows for the company's website and their YouTube channel.
Regulate website to ensure sales and shipment of DVD's are efficient and successful.

Prepare your editor & producer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your editor & producer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an editor & producer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable editor & producer resume templates

Build a professional editor & producer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your editor & producer resume.