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The differences between features 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 a features editor and a production editor. Additionally, a features editor has an average salary of $59,420, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.
The top three skills for a features editor include editorial content, layout design and SEO. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Features Editor | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $59,420 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $28.57 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 11,748 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A features editor's duty is to oversee and delegate the articles in the feature section of newspapers, magazines, and other digital publications to writers. Their job also includes pitching suitable articles from freelancers and making sure that the articles made for their publication are informative, on topic, and well-written. Also, the features editor must be detail-oriented and meticulous to ensure that every article is error-free and creative since they are the ones who supervise and decide whether the stories are ethical and factual enough before publishing.
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.
Features editors and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Features Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $59,420 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $96,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Roku | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Media |
There are a few differences between a features editor and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Features Editor | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Journalism | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between features editors' and production editors' demographics:
| Features Editor | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.1% Female, 62.9% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% 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% |