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Production assistant/editor vs managing editor

The differences between production assistant/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 production assistant/editor and a managing editor. Additionally, a managing editor has an average salary of $89,060, which is higher than the $50,759 average annual salary of a production assistant/editor.

The top three skills for a production assistant/editor include adobe photoshop, photography and audio board. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.

Production assistant/editor vs managing editor overview

Production Assistant/EditorManaging Editor
Yearly salary$50,759$89,060
Hourly rate$24.40$42.82
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs61,50916,781
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a production assistant/editor do?

Production assistants/editors are individuals with skills in communication, adaptability, organization, and administration. They also possess a healthy dose of enthusiasm and perseverance and the ability to work well under pressure. This career choice calls for assisting directors of film and television in collecting and organizing elements needed to edit the film, and overseeing the various lists and instructions needed for putting the film into its final form.

What does a managing editor do?

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.

Production assistant/editor vs managing editor salary

Production assistant/editors and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production Assistant/EditorManaging Editor
Average salary$50,759$89,060
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $74,000Between $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 production assistant/editor and managing editor education

There are a few differences between a production assistant/editor and a managing editor in terms of educational background:

Production Assistant/EditorManaging Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorPhotographyJournalism
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Production assistant/editor vs managing editor demographics

Here are the differences between production assistant/editors' and managing editors' demographics:

Production Assistant/EditorManaging Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 48.1% Female, 51.9%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% 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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between production assistant/editor and managing editor duties and responsibilities

Production assistant/editor example responsibilities.

  • Develop SEO strategies to increase profitability and manage social media to spread brand awareness and bolster readership.
  • Promote to improve design consistency of the daily metro sections.
  • Monitor internal systems for media requests, including tape and DVD duplication, encoding and file management.
  • Assist with filming and editing for a friend's YouTube channel covering inspirational minutes for community organization.
  • Develop proof-of-concept project for DVD proposal.
  • Utilize content management systems and SEO metadata to provide quality finish VOD products to both domestic and international customers.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Production assistant/editor vs managing editor skills

Common production assistant/editor skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Photography, 7%
  • Audio Board, 7%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Teleprompter, 5%
  • Adobe Premiere, 5%
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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