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Story editor vs production editor

The differences between story 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 story editor and a production editor. Additionally, a production editor has an average salary of $53,275, 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 production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

Story editor vs production editor overview

Story EditorProduction Editor
Yearly salary$52,975$53,275
Hourly rate$25.47$25.61
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs11,45862,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
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 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.

Story editor vs production editor salary

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

Story EditorProduction Editor
Average salary$52,975$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $86,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYHartford, CT
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyThe New York Times CompanyRobert A.M. Stern Architects
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between story editor and production editor education

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

Story EditorProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorPhotographyEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Story editor vs production editor demographics

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

Story EditorProduction Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 53.7% Female, 46.3%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
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, 3.6% 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 story editor and production 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

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

Story editor vs production editor skills

Common story editor skills
  • Fiction, 32%
  • Story Development, 20%
  • ABC, 15%
  • News Stories, 6%
  • String Outs, 6%
  • Documentaries, 5%
Common production editor skills
  • Proofreading, 15%
  • Editorial Production, 9%
  • Production Process, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Fiction, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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