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Executive editor vs editor

The differences between executive editors and 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 editor. Additionally, an executive editor has an average salary of $110,541, which is higher than the $52,107 average annual salary of an editor.

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

Executive editor vs editor overview

Executive EditorEditor
Yearly salary$110,541$52,107
Hourly rate$53.14$25.05
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs75,81015,115
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
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 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.

Executive editor vs editor salary

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

Executive EditorEditor
Average salary$110,541$52,107
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $278,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyAmerican MediaMicrosoft
Best paying industryMediaTechnology

Differences between executive editor and editor education

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

Executive EditorEditor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Executive editor vs editor demographics

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

Executive EditorEditor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 50.1% Female, 49.9%Male, 46.4% Female, 53.6%
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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between executive editor and 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.

Editor example responsibilities.

  • 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.
  • Show more

Executive editor vs 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 editor skills
  • Web Content, 13%
  • Video Content, 9%
  • SEO, 6%
  • Facebook, 4%
  • Editor-In-Chief, 4%
  • Twitter, 3%

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