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The differences between publishers and production 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 publisher and a production editor. Additionally, a publisher has an average salary of $71,539, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.
The top three skills for a publisher include press releases, customer satisfaction and strategic thinking. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.
| Publisher | Production Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $71,539 | $53,275 |
| Hourly rate | $34.39 | $25.61 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 10,303 | 62,877 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A publisher manages the design, editing, and production process with the help of proofreaders, printers, and editors. Publishers make schedules for every stage of the process and work backward from the planned date for publication. They distribute promotional catalogs to libraries and booksellers. They set the commercial and editorial direction for businesses publishing newspapers, digital content, magazines, and books. It is their duty to make decisions on the markets that their firms will serve as well as the type of content that they will give to their audience.
A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.
Publishers and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Publisher | Production Editor | |
| Average salary | $71,539 | $53,275 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $120,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Stamford, CT | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Robert A.M. Stern Architects |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Media |
There are a few differences between a publisher and a production editor in terms of educational background:
| Publisher | Production Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Business | English |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between publishers' and production editors' demographics:
| Publisher | Production Editor | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.7% Female, 44.3% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| 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, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |