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News assistant vs assistant editor

The differences between news assistants and assistant 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 news assistant and an assistant editor. Additionally, an assistant editor has an average salary of $52,284, which is higher than the $45,462 average annual salary of a news assistant.

The top three skills for a news assistant include assignment desk, video content and b-roll. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

News assistant vs assistant editor overview

News AssistantAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$45,462$52,284
Hourly rate$21.86$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs7,1308,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a news assistant do?

News assistants are professionals who are responsible for assisting editorial personnel in a broadcasting newsroom by compiling, dispensing, and filing news stories. These assistants must call people who are involved in news events to obtain more information or arrange for on-air interviews. They must assist in recording, editing, and playing back tapes of news stories using splicing machines and equipment to help columnists or commentators. News assistants must also work in control rooms to direct the presentation of news during the live broadcast.

What does an assistant editor do?

An assistant editor is an individual responsible for assisting an editor-in-chief or editor-at-large of a newspaper, magazine, radio program, or website. Assistant editors hold meetings with staff and freelance writers to discuss new, fresh and original content for projects on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They review assignments handed in by writers or reporters for sense, accuracy, readability, and content. Assistant editors must also utilize new media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to an article or cause.

News assistant vs assistant editor salary

News assistants and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

News AssistantAssistant Editor
Average salary$45,462$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $62,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City-Huntington, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between news assistant and assistant editor education

There are a few differences between a news assistant and an assistant editor in terms of educational background:

News AssistantAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorJournalismEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

News assistant vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between news assistants' and assistant editors' demographics:

News AssistantAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.3% Female, 58.7%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between news assistant and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

News assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage campaign performance through data analysis and reporting, with actionable takeaways per designate KPI.
  • Act as a stand-in onset for CNN's anchors and guests.
  • Shoot and edit video for CNN.
  • Log and review all clips for newscast
  • Report, film, and edit news stories for the KTSW website and YouTube channel.
  • Compose and proofread material for publication.
  • Show more

Assistant editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead bureau newsgathering in high-pressure, breaking news situations.
  • Manage the budget for all of VOA s primary newsgathering.
  • Produce e-newsletters, manage website content, write headlines and captions, utilize SEO and analyze digital traffic.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Ensure compliance with PRC and FDA guidelines.
  • Increase social media presence and traffic through Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

News assistant vs assistant editor skills

Common news assistant skills
  • Assignment Desk, 8%
  • Video Content, 8%
  • B-Roll, 7%
  • Facebook, 7%
  • Local News, 7%
  • News Coverage, 7%
Common assistant editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 9%
  • Video Footage, 8%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • Production Process, 4%
  • Twitter, 3%

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