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Story editor vs managing editor

The differences between story editors and managing 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 story editor and a managing editor. Additionally, a managing editor has an average salary of $89,060, which is higher than the $52,975 average annual salary of a story editor.

The top three skills for a story editor include fiction, story development and ABC. The most important skills for a managing editor are web content, editorial content, and SEO.

Story editor vs managing editor overview

Story EditorManaging Editor
Yearly salary$52,975$89,060
Hourly rate$25.47$42.82
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs11,45816,781
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a story editor do?

An editor selects and edits the best news and stories to prepare them for publishing. Similarly, a story editor confers with their production chief to select writers and materials. Hiring, assigning, and supervising writers is also the responsibility of a story writer. They review the writers' work, read material, and assesses its potential development into scripts.

What does a managing editor do?

Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.

Story editor vs managing editor salary

Story editors and managing editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Story EditorManaging Editor
Average salary$52,975$89,060
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $86,000Between $59,000 And $132,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyThe New York Times CompanyFederal Reserve Bank
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between story editor and managing editor education

There are a few differences between a story editor and a managing editor in terms of educational background:

Story EditorManaging Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorPhotographyJournalism
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Story editor vs managing editor demographics

Here are the differences between story editors' and managing editors' demographics:

Story EditorManaging Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 53.7% Female, 46.3%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between story editor and managing editor duties and responsibilities

Story editor example 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

Managing editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage programs such as schedule overhaul, YouTube channel creation, and new blog site.
  • Manage editorial process: assigning stories to line-editing to HTML publishing/page placement.
  • Manage editorial departments: ensure timely receipt of copy and photos, including coordinating and overseeing all freelance and in-house submissions.
  • Edit and proofread submissions for weekly publication.
  • Proofread and edit articles for several UN publications.
  • Launch and create the first digital edition online and via iPad.
  • Show more

Story editor vs managing editor skills

Common story editor skills
  • Fiction, 32%
  • Story Development, 20%
  • ABC, 15%
  • News Stories, 6%
  • String Outs, 6%
  • Documentaries, 5%
Common managing editor skills
  • Web Content, 13%
  • Editorial Content, 10%
  • SEO, 7%
  • Editorial Calendar, 5%
  • Digital Content, 5%
  • Editor-In-Chief, 4%

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