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Executive editor vs assistant editor

The differences between executive 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 executive editor and an assistant editor. Additionally, an executive editor has an average salary of $110,541, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for an executive editor include editorial content, editorial calendar and digital content. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Executive editor vs assistant editor overview

Executive EditorAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$110,541$52,284
Hourly rate$53.14$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs75,8108,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an executive editor do?

An executive editor supervises the editorial content of magazines, newspapers, or other publications. In the corporate setting, an executive editor often arranges a book's publishing. In a newspaper setting, an executive editor is the newsroom leader, and in larger newspapers, they coordinate all aspects of the publication's production. They must have the ability to manage subordinates and assistant editors and be experienced with Associated Press style.

What does an assistant editor do?

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.

Executive editor vs assistant editor salary

Executive editors and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Executive EditorAssistant Editor
Average salary$110,541$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $278,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyAmerican MediaApple
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between executive editor and assistant editor education

There are a few differences between an executive editor and an assistant editor in terms of educational background:

Executive EditorAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Executive editor vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between executive editors' and assistant editors' demographics:

Executive EditorAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 50.1% Female, 49.9%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.2% 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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between executive editor and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Executive editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead effort to publish works of fiction (Alfaguara imprint).
  • Manage content using CMS tools and ongoing social media campaign and reader engagement via social media networks and blog.
  • Acquire established writers and introduce new voices in genre fiction.
  • Leverage meticulous attention to detail in technical editing and proofreading all content from project inception to completion.
  • Analyze FrameMaker source document and provide feedback to XML architects to improve accuracy of conversion.

Assistant editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead bureau newsgathering in high-pressure, breaking news situations.
  • Manage the budget for all of VOA s primary newsgathering.
  • Produce e-newsletters, manage website content, write headlines and captions, utilize SEO and analyze digital traffic.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Ensure compliance with PRC and FDA guidelines.
  • Increase social media presence and traffic through Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Executive editor vs assistant editor skills

Common executive editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 12%
  • Editorial Calendar, 8%
  • Digital Content, 6%
  • SEO, 6%
  • Editor-In-Chief, 6%
  • Content Strategy, 6%
Common assistant editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 9%
  • Video Footage, 8%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • Production Process, 4%
  • Twitter, 3%

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