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What is a staff writer/editor and how to become one
What general advice would you give to a staff writer/editor?
Cathy Irwin Ph.D.
Professor of English, University of La Verne
English majors from La Verne graduate with excellent writing and critical thinking skills. As a result, they do have opportunities after they graduate. Many of them are hired in jobs because of their writing and editing skills. A large percentage of students decide to go to graduate school. They want to serve their communities, so they become teachers, librarians, lawyers, and officers in non-profits or the city sector.
The medical field is also starting to welcome students from the humanities because they are looking for well-rounded, articulate, and compassionate people. If students with a humanities degree want to go into the health or medical sector, they can apply to one-year post-baccalaureate programs that lead to medical school.
Avg. Salary $54,256
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate -5%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.27%
Asian 7.25%
Black or African American 3.58%
Hispanic or Latino 8.12%
Unknown 4.59%
White 76.19%
Genderfemale 49.32%
male 50.68%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Staff writer/editor career paths
Key steps to become a staff writer/editor
Explore staff writer/editor education requirements
Start to develop specific staff writer/editor skills
Skills Percentages Website Content 19.68% Feature Stories 5.88% News Stories 5.48% Adobe Indesign 5.34% Staff Writers 4.75% Complete relevant staff writer/editor training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New staff writer/editors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a staff writer/editor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real staff writer/editor resumes.Research staff writer/editor duties and responsibilities
- Manage outside contributors, supervise and guide in-house editorial staff.
- Upload new stories, briefs, and photographs using HTML.
- Engineer search engine optimization (SEO) copy writing and search engine marketing efforts.
- Write and edit SEO content for a national publication for small firm and solo attorneys.
Prepare your staff writer/editor resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your staff writer/editor resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a staff writer/editor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable staff writer/editor resume templates
Build a professional staff writer/editor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your staff writer/editor resume.
Apply for staff writer/editor jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a staff writer/editor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first staff writer/editor job
Are you a staff writer/editor?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average staff writer/editor salary
The average staff writer/editor salary in the United States is $54,256 per year or $26 per hour. Staff writer/editor salaries range between $36,000 and $80,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do staff writer/editors rate their job?
Staff writer/editor reviews
I learned to read and write at an early age and have avidly pursued it since. Beside school publications and assignments, I've sought out numerous outlets for my love of writing, from features and sports writer for my local weekly news paper, to AP stringer for election coverage, to a Pohlad family internship at one of southeastern Minnesota's most respected dailies.
Unexpected deadlines, I guess, although it sometimes seems I do my sharpest writing in those pressured situations.
Set your own schedule work from home. Determine your own salary. Dictate your hours. Choose the jobs you want.
Could be paid more. Slow to get started very competitive.
Being an editor allowed me to give shape to a story or point of view that I otherwise would not have had any say in. I got to create a vision and put my mark on the work.
Updated January 8, 2025
