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What does a publication editor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Bradley Shreve
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Publication editor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real publication editor resumes:

  • Manage campaign performance through data analysis and reporting, with actionable takeaways per designate KPI.
  • Collaborate with internal editorials teams and division directors to develop news stories announcing new pharmaceutical advancements and laboratory developments.
  • Design, develop and publish multimedia web pages using Dreamweaver, HTML and CSS.
  • Proofread and edit the mission pastor's articles and blogs for his forthcoming second publication.
  • Launch first social media for community sections with creation of section-specific Facebook pages and blogs.
  • Proofread, edit, and publish all articles and all other written weekly content for the site.
  • Organize public relations via Facebook.
  • Lead full re-design, including refocuse content strategy, improve structure and more dynamic photography and design presentation.
  • Provide editorial and art coordination support in the production and publication of documents.
  • Analyze FrameMaker source document and provide feedback to XML architects to improve accuracy of conversion.

Publication editor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Publication Editors are proficient in Web Content, Press Releases, and Proofread. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Good judgment.

We break down the percentage of Publication Editors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Web Content, 11%

    Directed web content development and writing to establish sustained online presence in Google News rankings.

  • Press Releases, 10%

    Developed communication strategies and wrote and edited news publications, marketing pieces, press releases and other types of publications.

  • Proofread, 8%

    Proofread, edited, and published all articles and all other written weekly content for the site.

  • Technical Publications, 5%

    Design and implement Technical Publications process.

  • Editorial Process, 5%

    Negotiated large-scale offshore vendor and licensing agreements, and implemented the successful outsourcing of multiple editorial processes at significant cost savings.

  • Graphic Design, 5%

    Revolutionized graphic design, technological innovation and achieved cost savings by leading transition to desktop publishing.

Common skills that a publication editor uses to do their job include "web content," "press releases," and "proofread." You can find details on the most important publication editor responsibilities below.

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a publication editor to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what publication editors do because "editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics." Additionally, a publication editor resume shows how publication editors use creativity: "conducted editorial meetings with saif ceo and executive council, pitched stories, enforced timelines, and hired creative talent. "

Detail oriented. Many publication editor duties rely on detail oriented. "editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication.," so a publication editor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways publication editor responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "fact-checked feature stories and departments, writing detailed reports to ensure accuracy and validity of all copy. "

Good judgment. This is an important skill for publication editors to perform their duties. For an example of how publication editor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a publication editor: "maintained focus on online editorial experience, and what makes content on the web sticky, conversation-starting and good for seo. ".

Interpersonal skills. publication editor responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "in working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work." This resume example shows what publication editors do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "coordinated interpersonal relations between editorial staff, artists, writers and judges. "

Writing skills. Another common skill required for publication editor responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of publication editors all the time, as "editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax." An excerpt from a real publication editor resume shows how this skill is central to what a publication editor does: "managed special projects as needed including writing an employee recruitment series in the columbus dispatch, copywriting for ohio magazine. "

Most common publication editor skills

The three companies that hire the most publication editors are:

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Compare different publication editors

Publication editor vs. 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. They also assist in planning promotional strategies and marketing campaigns, such as monitoring press releases, posting on social media platforms, and developing marketing materials. An editorial intern must have excellent organizational skills, most importantly, a fast-learner to understand complex tasks and perform assigned duties under minimal supervision.

We looked at the average publication editor salary and compared it with the wages of an editing internship. Generally speaking, editing interns are paid $23,795 lower than publication editors per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both publication editor and editing internship positions are skilled in web content, press releases, and graphic design.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between publication editors and editing internship. For instance, publication editor responsibilities require skills such as "proofread," "technical publications," "editorial process," and "editorial calendar." Whereas a editing internship is skilled in "video footage," "adobe photoshop," "photography," and "youtube." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, editing interns reach lower levels of education than publication editors. Editing interns are 5.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Publication editor vs. 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. An editorial intern must be detail-oriented and take constructive feedback as an opportunity to learn. It is also crucial to have outstanding communication and proofreading skills and keep all the materials confidential until release.

On average, editorial interns earn a $26,474 lower salary than publication editors a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both publication editors and editorial interns have skills such as "web content," "press releases," and "editorial process. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real publication editor resumes. While publication editor responsibilities can utilize skills like "proofread," "technical publications," "graphic design," and "editorial calendar," editorial interns use skills like "fact-check," "editorial intern," "twitter," and "instagram."

On average, editorial interns earn a lower salary than publication editors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, editorial interns earn the most pay in the media industry with an average salary of $33,508. Whereas publication editors have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $64,852.In general, editorial interns achieve lower levels of education than publication editors. They're 5.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for publication editors in the next 3-5 years?

Bradley ShreveBradley Shreve LinkedIn profile

Editor, Tribal College Journal

If you plan to teach, focus on becoming familiar with, and understanding how to use, different learning management systems. You should also know where to find various digital historical sources, whether in online archives or on the web. It is also crucial to be adept at using a variety of apps and social media platforms.

Publication editor vs. Editor, freelance

An Editor, Freelance is responsible for reading content and correcting for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. They work with writers to help their ideas and stories succeed.

An average editor, freelance eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of publication editors. The difference in salaries amounts to editors, freelance earning a $9,117 higher average salary than publication editors.By looking over several publication editors and editors, freelance resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "web content," "press releases," and "html." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a publication editor is likely to be skilled in "proofread," "technical publications," "editorial process," and "graphic design," while a typical editor, freelance is skilled in "music videos," "fiction," "track changes," and "promotional videos."

When it comes to education, editors, freelance tend to earn similar degree levels compared to publication editors. In fact, they're 2.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Publication editor vs. Editor in chief

Editors in chief average a lower salary than the annual salary of publication editors. The difference is about $4,079 per year.While both publication editors and editors in chief complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like press releases, graphic design, and editor-in-chief, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A publication editor uses "web content," "proofread," "technical publications," and "editorial process." Editors in chief are more likely to have duties that require skills in "website content," "editorial direction," "editorial board," and "photography. "editors in chief enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $53,837. For comparison, publication editors earn the highest salary in the technology industry.editors in chief reach similar levels of education compared to publication editors, in general. The difference is that they're 0.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of publication editor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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