How to hire a magazine editor

How to hire a magazine editor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step magazine editor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a magazine editor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new magazine editor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your magazine editor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a magazine editor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A magazine editor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, magazine editors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of magazine editors.

   Type of Magazine Editor	Description	Hourly rate
   Magazine Editor	Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.	$12-45
   Editing Internship	An editorial intern is responsible for assisting the editorial department of an organization with publishing various media and digital content. Editorial interns shadow tenured editorial staff on researching stories, validating information, writing captivating articles, interviewing target audiences, and screening submitted manuscripts... Show more	$12-21
   Editorial Internship	An editorial intern is responsible for assisting the editorial team in publishing digital and media content, writing articles, and managing readers' reviews. Editorial interns must have excellent knowledge of the industry they work for, suggesting the latest trends and featured topics, taking notes of the tenured employees' advice and observations, and actively joining brainstorming sessions... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Lifestyle
   • Website Content
   • Photography
   • Magazines
   • Editorial Calendar
   • Editor-In-Chief
   • Proofread
   • Editorial Content
   • Trade Shows
   • Edit Copy
   • Feature Stories
   • Adobe Indesign
   • Graphic Design
   • Adobe Photoshop

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop online marketing strategies and manage web platforms such as Wordpress, Facebook, more.
   • Work closely with the publisher and advertising director to achieve editorial excellence and improve marketability.
   • Collaborate with editor-in-chief on production calendar and future magazine content ideas.
   • Improve SEO through Google Adwords.
   • Maintain working knowledge of marketing and SEO strategies.
   • Create planning document to direct copywriting and design creative.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your magazine editor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A magazine editor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, magazine editors' average salary in nebraska is 70% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level magazine editors earn 72% less than senior-level magazine editors.
   • Certifications. A magazine editor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a magazine editor's salary.

   Average magazine editor salary

   $50,177yearly

   $24.12 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level magazine editor salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a magazine editor job description

   A magazine editor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a magazine editor job description:

   Magazine editor job description example

   Posting Number S01033JP
   
   Department Print Publications & Editorial Services
   
   Job Summary
   
   Bowdoin Magazine is an award-winning publication produced three times a year that furthers the close and enduring relationship between Bowdoin College and its alumni by engaging readers in the life of the College and by strengthening their connections to Bowdoin's mission and spirit, the College's aspirations, and its past as well as its future.
   
   While Bowdoin alumni are the magazine's principal audience, it is also distributed to the parents of current students, faculty and staff, and other key constituents. It informs and inspires based on the College's work, successes, and culture and through consideration of the accomplished lives and widespread impact of a global Bowdoin community of more than 24,000 alumni. With compelling narratives, powerful visuals, and a personal touch reflective of Bowdoin's close-knit community, Bowdoin Magazine tells the ongoing story of an exceptional liberal arts college based in Maine and rooted in the common good.
   
   The editor of Bowdoin Magazine leads, guides, and mentors staff in the Bowdoin College Office of Communications and Public Affairs who work on the magazine, among other duties. The editor engages regularly with the Office of Alumni Relations, faculty, senior leadership, and key staff across campus to develop and produce timely material for the magazine that is both thought-provoking and relevant to its key audience, and also collaborates with other communications directors and staff on developing compelling and effective storytelling across various other channels.
   
   The editor will be a strategic and creative thinker who is endlessly curious and open to new ideas for connecting Bowdoin alumni to the College. They will be knowledgeable about the College and savvy about the magazine readership, understanding that Bowdoin Magazine is a gift for alumni, about alumni, and by alumni that competes for their time and attention with any number of other information sources.
   
   The editor will be an active listener, a strong writer and editor, and a creative and accurate storyteller with an eye for excellent design who also plans ahead, thinking beyond the current issue of the magazine and contributing ideas for the College's other communications channels (website, social media, video, etc.). They will also have excellent organizational skills, print production experience, and demonstrated success supervising and motivating staff and freelance contributors and collaborating with others. They will be able to develop and oversee a magazine strategy that supports the College's mission and goals while also managing the day-to-day business of producing the magazine on time and on budget.
   
   Responsibilities and Duties
   
   + Plans and manages the production of Bowdoin Magazine, a print periodical produced three times a year and distributed to more than 24,000 alumni, the parents of current students, faculty and staff, and other key constituents.
   
   + Collaborates with others in the office to determine the best "channel" for a particular story, with a willingness to share ideas across platforms.
   
   + Magazine duties include content conception, story/photography/art assignments, writing, editing, and otherwise managing sixty-four pages per issue.
   
   + Works closely with freelance contributors and manages designers and outside vendors.
   
   + Manages the magazine budget.
   
   + Ensures that published content is consistent with Bowdoin's style guide and "voice," and evaluates each magazine for compliance with College policies.
   
   + Uses analytics to measure the reach and effectiveness of the magazine and surveys to gauge reader engagement and satisfaction.
   
   + Implements best practices, tools, and workflows for an efficient and effective publishing process.
   
   Education/Skills Requirements
   
   + Bachelor's degree required/master's degree preferred in English, journalism, or similar discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
   
   + Exceptional and proven editorial and writing skills and exceptional attention to detail.
   
   + Strong organization, management, and leadership skills, and the ability to plan and meet deadlines.
   
   + Superior interpersonal skills and the ability and willingness to lead, mentor, and collaborate with others.
   
   + The ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and in situations that require quick responses and sound judgment.
   
   + Excellent interpersonal, communications, and presentation skills with the ability to work well with diverse students, faculty, staff, alumni, and office colleagues.
   
   + Ability and willingness to support a diverse workforce and to participate in the College's efforts to build and sustain a respectful and inclusive work environment.
   
   Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents
   
   + Ten to twelve years of demonstrated experience in print production, managing, writing, and editing for print magazines.
   
   Standard Work Days and Hours
   
   This is an exempt position requiring time commitment necessary to satisfactorily complete job requirements. Hours are primarily Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening and weekend work is occasionally required in order to meet the requirements of the position.
   
   While fully remote work is not available for this position, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply for a hybrid-work arrangement after an appropriate amount of time and success working on campus as determined by the vice president and senior vice president for communications and public affairs.
   
   About Bowdoin
   
   Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff-with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
   
   We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College's multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
   
   Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin's reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
   
   Bowdoin's campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
   
   Shift
   
   Employment Category Full Time Year Round
   
   FTE 1.00
   
   Benefits Eligible Yes
   
   Pay Type Salaried
   
   Background Check Package Requirements Administrative Staff + MVR
   
   Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? Yes
   
   Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? No
   
   Posting Date 10/14/2022
   
   Applications Accepted Until
   
   Open Until Filled No
   
   Type of Posting Internal/External
   
   Special Instructions to Applicants
   
   EEO Information
   
   Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
   
   Supplemental Questions

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right magazine editor for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   To find magazine editor candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with magazine editor candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new magazine editor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the magazine editor position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new magazine editor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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