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The differences between executive editors and production 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 a production editor. Additionally, an executive editor has an average salary of $110,541, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.
The top three skills for an executive editor include editorial content, editorial calendar and digital content. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Executive Editor | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $110,541 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $53.14 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 75,810 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.
Executive editors and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $110,541 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $278,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | American Media | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Media | Media |
There are a few differences between an executive editor and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Executive Editor | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Journalism | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between executive editors' and production editors' demographics:
| Executive Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.1% Female, 49.9% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |