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Junior editor vs production editor

The differences between junior 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 junior editor and a production editor. Additionally, a production editor has an average salary of $53,275, which is higher than the $50,396 average annual salary of a junior editor.

The top three skills for a junior editor include adobe premiere, media management and proofreading. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

Junior editor vs production editor overview

Junior EditorProduction Editor
Yearly salary$50,396$53,275
Hourly rate$24.23$25.61
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs18,85762,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a junior editor do?

A junior editor helps the editor-in-chief in ensuring that the editorial process goes smoothly and accurately. They coordinate with team members to ensure that deadlines will be met on time. They support the editor by doing tasks such as research or conducting interviews to be used on an article or story. They must also conduct simple editing, including fact-checking and accuracy. A junior editor may suggest content and conduct line editing.

What does a production editor do?

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.

Junior editor vs production editor salary

Junior editors and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Junior EditorProduction Editor
Average salary$50,396$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $68,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City-Hartford, CT
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between junior editor and production editor education

There are a few differences between a junior editor and a production editor in terms of educational background:

Junior EditorProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorPhotographyEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Junior editor vs production editor demographics

Here are the differences between junior editors' and production editors' demographics:

Junior EditorProduction Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 43.1% Female, 56.9%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between junior editor and production editor duties and responsibilities

Junior editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage international man-made fiber market research/publishing company and supervise editorial content and sales of industry statistical journal.
  • Contribute article ideas and assist editors with fact-checking, proofreading and style changes.
  • Provide general proofreading services and fact checking for authors prior to publication of their historical novel
  • Review submitted manuscripts, brainstorm & implement promotional strategies, track community involvement, and plan literary events with the editor-in-chief.
  • Update and maintain tracking reports/libraries in SharePoint.
  • Manage business documentation for the department's strategic alignment SharePoint database.

Production editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage integration and implementation of site search and train staff on strategic SEO and web best practices.
  • Manage research and identification of all clips and pictures used in the documentary for the purpose of credit and compensation.
  • Typeset editorial content and manage paste-up board production.
  • Boost usability by managing content migration to iApps, leading maintenance & data/functionality QA.
  • Assume full editorial responsibility when editor are unavailable, including managing social media accounts and assigning content to freelancers and photographers.
  • Update online versions of books using UNIX, HTML, and XML technologies.
  • Show more

Junior editor vs production editor skills

Common junior editor skills
  • Adobe Premiere, 16%
  • Media Management, 9%
  • Proofreading, 9%
  • Motion Graphics, 8%
  • Editorial Content, 6%
  • Video Production, 6%
Common production editor skills
  • Proofreading, 15%
  • Editorial Production, 9%
  • Production Process, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Fiction, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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