How To Become A Story Editor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a story editor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Story editors are responsible for selecting and securing written materials and supervising staff writers who prepare scripts to be used for television or motion picture productions. They review and evaluate writers' work developed during previous associations, samples presented by agents, and material received from other sources to select writers. They also recommend the purchase of material judged to be suitable in developing scripts.

Story editors earn an average salary of $54,000 annually or $26 per hour. They perform some duties which include working closely with the writer to ensure that the draft that is produced ensures that practical issues such as continuity and running time are adhered to. They also supervise the screenwriting staff and edit the screenplay while ensuring the script is properly conducted in a way that keeps it in time with the appropriate continuity and run time.

Story editors typically hold a bachelor's degree in photography, communication, journalism, or other related fields. They are expected to have proven experience as an editor or in a similar role. Some employers prefer candidates with excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

ScoreStory EditorUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,975

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.7

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.27%

Asian 7.31%

Black or African American 3.61%

Hispanic or Latino 8.19%

Unknown 4.60%

White 76.04%

Gender

female 46.31%

male 53.69%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a story editor

Explore story editor education requirements

Most common story editor degrees

Bachelor's

82.0 %

Master's

8.6 %

Associate

7.0 %

Start to develop specific story editor skills

Skills	Percentages
Fiction	32.28%
Story Development	20.08%
ABC	15.38%
News Stories	6.15%
String Outs	5.89%

Complete relevant story editor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New story 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 story editor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real story editor resumes.

Research story editor duties and responsibilities

Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
Maintain website content and Facebook page content for viewers.
Collaborate with editor-in-chief to shape editorial direction of this monthly lifestyle magazine for the Chicago/Lake Michigan region.
Read and copyedit manuscripts for publication

Prepare your story editor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your story 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 story 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 story editor resume templates

Build a professional story 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 story editor resume.