Magazine editor vs managing editor

The differences between magazine editors and managing 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 magazine editor and a managing editor. Additionally, a managing editor has an average salary of $89,060, which is higher than the $50,177 average annual salary of a magazine editor.

The top three skills for a magazine editor include lifestyle, website content and photography. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.

Magazine editor vs managing editor overview

	Magazine Editor	Managing Editor
Yearly salary	$50,177	$89,060
Hourly rate	$24.12	$42.82
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	11,364	16,781
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Magazine editor vs managing editor salary

Magazine editors and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Magazine Editor	Managing Editor
Average salary	$50,177	$89,060
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $94,000	Between $59,000 And $132,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Federal Reserve Bank
Best paying industry	-	Media

Differences between magazine editor and managing editor education

There are a few differences between a magazine editor and a managing editor in terms of educational background:

	Magazine Editor	Managing Editor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common major	English	Journalism
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Magazine editor vs managing editor demographics

Here are the differences between magazine editors' and managing editors' demographics:

	Magazine Editor	Managing Editor
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 36.5% Female, 63.5%	Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between magazine editor and managing editor duties and responsibilities

Magazine editor example 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.

Managing editor example responsibilities.

Manage programs such as schedule overhaul, YouTube channel creation, and new blog site.
Manage editorial process: assigning stories to line-editing to HTML publishing/page placement.
Manage editorial departments: ensure timely receipt of copy and photos, including coordinating and overseeing all freelance and in-house submissions.
Edit and proofread submissions for weekly publication.
Proofread and edit articles for several UN publications.
Launch and create the first digital edition online and via iPad.

Magazine editor vs managing editor skills

Common magazine editor skills

Lifestyle, 13%
Website Content, 10%
Photography, 8%
Magazines, 7%
Editorial Calendar, 6%
Editor-In-Chief, 6%

Common managing editor skills

Web Content, 13%
Editorial Content, 10%
SEO, 7%
Editorial Calendar, 5%
Digital Content, 5%
Editor-In-Chief, 4%

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Magazine Editor
Magazine Editor vs Managing Editor

Updated January 8, 2025

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