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Writer and editor vs assistant editor

The differences between writer and editors and assistant 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 writer and editor and an assistant editor. Additionally, a writer and editor has an average salary of $61,482, which is higher than the $52,284 average annual salary of an assistant editor.

The top three skills for a writer and editor include web content, blog posts and press releases. The most important skills for an assistant editor are editorial content, video footage, and web content.

Writer and editor vs assistant editor overview

Writer And EditorAssistant Editor
Yearly salary$61,482$52,284
Hourly rate$29.56$25.14
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs14,8658,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a writer and editor do?

Writing is not an easy task, so a Writer and an Editor must work together to deliver quality content. A writer's role is to gather information to create a structured written material that would serve its purpose, whether for recreational or informational. Moreover, it is the Editor's responsibility to oversee and examine what the Writer has produced. From this, the Editor will provide feedback, corrections or suggestions, and guidelines that the Writer can follow to improve the material.

What does an assistant editor do?

An assistant editor is an individual responsible for assisting an editor-in-chief or editor-at-large of a newspaper, magazine, radio program, or website. Assistant editors hold meetings with staff and freelance writers to discuss new, fresh and original content for projects on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They review assignments handed in by writers or reporters for sense, accuracy, readability, and content. Assistant editors must also utilize new media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to an article or cause.

Writer and editor vs assistant editor salary

Writer and editors and assistant editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Writer And EditorAssistant Editor
Average salary$61,482$52,284
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $103,000Between $34,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCHuntington, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyAppleApple
Best paying industryInternetMedia

Differences between writer and editor and assistant editor education

There are a few differences between a writer and editor and an assistant editor in terms of educational background:

Writer And EditorAssistant Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Writer and editor vs assistant editor demographics

Here are the differences between writer and editors' and assistant editors' demographics:

Writer And EditorAssistant Editor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 40.0% Female, 60.0%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between writer and editor and assistant editor duties and responsibilities

Writer and editor example responsibilities.

  • Update website daily, manage Facebook/Twitter/ Instagram accounts.
  • Create articles featuring campus faculty and students, as well as lifestyle tips, and opinion editorials.
  • Work closely with magazine's editor-in-chief to hash out design ideas and content.
  • Gain 9k twitter followers in four months, and create a consistent fan base.
  • Assign stories to writers, edit them with SEO in mind, then post to proprietary CMS.
  • Pitch, write, and publish full length book/news relate articles-Edit and format images, SEO, HTML formatting
  • Show more

Assistant editor example responsibilities.

  • Lead bureau newsgathering in high-pressure, breaking news situations.
  • Manage the budget for all of VOA s primary newsgathering.
  • Produce e-newsletters, manage website content, write headlines and captions, utilize SEO and analyze digital traffic.
  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Ensure compliance with PRC and FDA guidelines.
  • Increase social media presence and traffic through Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Writer and editor vs assistant editor skills

Common writer and editor skills
  • Web Content, 23%
  • Blog Posts, 8%
  • Press Releases, 8%
  • Writing Articles, 3%
  • Feature Stories, 3%
  • Photography, 3%
Common assistant editor skills
  • Editorial Content, 9%
  • Video Footage, 8%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • Production Process, 4%
  • Twitter, 3%

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