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The differences between managing editors and editorial directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a managing editor and an editorial director. Additionally, an editorial director has an average salary of $99,934, which is higher than the $89,060 average annual salary of a managing editor.
The top three skills for a managing editor include web content, editorial content and SEO. The most important skills for an editorial director are editorial content, web content, and editorial strategy.
| Managing Editor | Editorial Director | |
| Yearly salary | $89,060 | $99,934 |
| Hourly rate | $42.82 | $48.05 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 16,781 | 11,143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.
An Editorial Director will plan, coordinate, and edit all written content for a publication or a website. As the Editorial Director, they are responsible for planning the company's vision for the publication, including its short- and long-term goals. They are also responsible for supervising other editors and developing the guidelines on the types of manuscripts they should seek. Other duties that Editorial Directors perform include planning the publication's contents, allocating work to editors-in-chief and editorial managers, and coordinating other departments' work as needed.
Managing editors and editorial directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Managing Editor | Editorial Director | |
| Average salary | $89,060 | $99,934 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $132,000 | Between $68,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | New Haven, CT |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Federal Reserve Bank | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Media | Professional |
There are a few differences between a managing editor and an editorial director in terms of educational background:
| Managing Editor | Editorial Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Journalism | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between managing editors' and editorial directors' demographics:
| Managing Editor | Editorial Director | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4% | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |