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Senior editor vs production editor

The differences between senior editors 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 senior editor and a production editor. Additionally, a senior editor has an average salary of $90,094, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.

The top three skills for a senior editor include edit content, video content and SEO. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

Senior editor vs production editor overview

Senior EditorProduction Editor
Yearly salary$90,094$53,275
Hourly rate$43.31$25.61
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs12,15062,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a senior editor do?

A Senior Editor determines the editorial content for a publication. They supervise the content creation process and manage junior editors.

What does a production editor do?

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.

Senior editor vs production editor salary

Senior editors and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior EditorProduction Editor
Average salary$90,094$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $121,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAHartford, CT
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyAppleRobert A.M. Stern Architects
Best paying industryFinanceMedia

Differences between senior editor and production editor education

There are a few differences between a senior editor and a production editor in terms of educational background:

Senior EditorProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Senior editor vs production editor demographics

Here are the differences between senior editors' and production editors' demographics:

Senior EditorProduction Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 51.7% Female, 48.3%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between senior editor and production editor duties and responsibilities

Senior editor example responsibilities.

  • Contract and manage editorial freelancers and full-service vendors for successful high school Spanish and Latin textbook and ancillary programs.
  • Post video to the Fox17 website and youtube.
  • Complete several robust DVD authoring projects for clients.
  • Redesign the look and the style of lifestyle magazine.
  • Double traffic on the Instagram page with newly implement marketing plan.
  • Content editing for automobile DVD user manuals (English, French and Spanish).
  • Show more

Production editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage integration and implementation of site search and train staff on strategic SEO and web best practices.
  • Manage research and identification of all clips and pictures used in the documentary for the purpose of credit and compensation.
  • Typeset editorial content and manage paste-up board production.
  • Boost usability by managing content migration to iApps, leading maintenance & data/functionality QA.
  • Assume full editorial responsibility when editor are unavailable, including managing social media accounts and assigning content to freelancers and photographers.
  • Update online versions of books using UNIX, HTML, and XML technologies.
  • Show more

Senior editor vs production editor skills

Common senior editor skills
  • Edit Content, 11%
  • Video Content, 7%
  • SEO, 7%
  • Digital Content, 6%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Facebook, 3%
Common production editor skills
  • Proofreading, 15%
  • Editorial Production, 9%
  • Production Process, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Fiction, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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