Editors
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 540 | $67,340 | $32.37 | |
| Alaska | 50 | $68,690 | $33.02 | |
| Arizona | 1,000 | $64,940 | $31.22 | |
| Arkansas | 390 | $46,990 | $22.59 | |
| California | 12,170 | $79,570 | $38.25 | |
| Colorado | 1,940 | $71,080 | $34.17 | |
| Connecticut | 1,270 | $75,570 | $36.33 | |
| Delaware | 90 | $71,370 | $34.31 | |
| District of Columbia | 3,510 | $99,400 | $47.79 | |
| Florida | 2,950 | $65,920 | $31.69 | |
| Georgia | 1,580 | $58,870 | $28.30 | |
| Hawaii | 90 | $67,770 | $32.58 | |
| Idaho | 300 | $49,770 | $23.93 | |
| Illinois | 3,960 | $61,800 | $29.71 | |
| Indiana | 1,110 | $53,150 | $25.55 | |
| Iowa | 610 | $63,310 | $30.44 | |
| Kansas | 590 | $56,960 | $27.38 | |
| Kentucky | 630 | $49,950 | $24.01 | |
| Louisiana | 400 | $54,810 | $26.35 | |
| Maine | 410 | $54,290 | $26.10 | |
| Maryland | 1,830 | $71,720 | $34.48 | |
| Massachusetts | 3,320 | $80,940 | $38.91 | |
| Michigan | 1,560 | $66,700 | $32.07 | |
| Minnesota | 1,580 | $63,530 | $30.54 | |
| Mississippi | 250 | $43,670 | $21.00 | |
| Missouri | 1,100 | $55,670 | $26.77 | |
| Montana | 190 | $46,680 | $22.44 | |
| Nebraska | 380 | $44,610 | $21.45 | |
| Nevada | 250 | $73,970 | $35.56 | |
| New Hampshire | 390 | $60,300 | $28.99 | |
| New Jersey | 2,520 | $78,170 | $37.58 | |
| New Mexico | 150 | $51,470 | $24.74 | |
| New York | 18,510 | $102,400 | $49.23 | |
| North Carolina | 1,920 | $65,360 | $31.42 | |
| North Dakota | 150 | $47,190 | $22.69 | |
| Ohio | 2,220 | $61,530 | $29.58 | |
| Oklahoma | 480 | $53,480 | $25.71 | |
| Oregon | 880 | $59,180 | $28.45 | |
| Pennsylvania | 3,260 | $63,830 | $30.69 | |
| Rhode Island | 170 | $67,620 | $32.51 | |
| South Carolina | 690 | $46,920 | $22.56 | |
| South Dakota | 110 | $50,080 | $24.08 | |
| Tennessee | 1,320 | $58,990 | $28.36 | |
| Texas | 4,180 | $65,150 | $31.32 | |
| Utah | 770 | $60,950 | $29.30 | |
| Vermont | 220 | $64,830 | $31.17 | |
| Virginia | 2,890 | $74,940 | $36.03 | |
| Washington | 1,870 | $79,430 | $38.19 | |
| West Virginia | 420 | $60,480 | $29.08 | |
| Wisconsin | 1,490 | $57,600 | $27.69 | |
| Wyoming | 100 | $45,020 | $21.64 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on the comprehensive study of communication, and that spans the study of mass communication/media studies, old and new media technologies, social and political applications, and speech communication and rhetoric. Includes instruction in interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural communication; theories of communication; critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion; written communication; printed, electronic, and digital media; rhetorical tradition and criticism; media, society, and culture; consequences and effects of mass media; media social science and criticism; and quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry.
A program that focuses on the analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture. Includes instruction in communications regulation, law, and policy; media history; media aesthetics, interpretation, and criticism; the social and cultural effects of mass media; cultural studies; the economics of media industries; visual and media literacy; and the psychology and behavioral aspects of media messages, interpretation, and utilization.
A program that focuses on the theory and practice of gathering, processing, and delivering news and that prepares individuals to be professional print journalists, news editors, and news managers. Includes instruction in news writing and editing; reporting; photojournalism; layout and graphic design; journalism law and policy; professional standards and ethics; research methods; and journalism history and criticism.
A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for reporting, producing, and delivering news and news programs via radio, television, and video/film media; and that prepares individuals to be professional broadcast journalists, editors, producers, directors, and managers. Includes instruction in the principles of broadcast technology; broadcast reporting; on- and off-camera and microphone procedures and techniques; program, sound, and video/film editing; program design and production; media law and policy; and professional standards and ethics.
A program that focuses on the communication of technical and scientific knowledge to a variety of audiences through print, video, and digital media; and that prepares individuals to function as technical writers and editors, documentation developers, web designers, and usability specialists. Includes instruction in scientific and technical writing and editing, graphic and information design, web design, audience analysis, document usability and field testing, publications management, and applications to specific technical fields.
A program that focuses on the process of managing the creation, publication, and distribution of print and electronic books and other text products and prepares individuals to manage the editorial, technical, and business aspects of publishing operations. Includes instruction in product planning and design, editing, author relations, business and copyright law, publishing industry operations, contracting and purchasing, product marketing, electronic publishing and commerce, history of publishing, and professional standards and ethics.
Any instructional program in communication, journalism, and related fields not listed above.
A program that focuses on writing for applied and liberal arts purposes. Includes instruction in writing and document design in multiple genres, modes, and media; writing technologies; research, evaluation, and use of information; editing and publishing; theories and processes of composing; rhetorical theories, traditions, and analysis; communication across audiences, contexts, and cultures; and practical applications for professional, technical, organizational, academic, and public settings.
A program that focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others. Includes instruction in technical and editorial skills, criticism, and the marketing of finished manuscripts.
A program that focuses on professional, technical, business, and scientific writing; and that prepares individuals for academic positions or for professional careers as writers, editors, researchers, and related careers in business, government, non-profits, and the professions. Includes instruction in theories of rhetoric, writing, and digital literacy; document design, production, and management; visual rhetoric and multimedia composition; documentation development; usability testing; web writing; and publishing in print and electronic media.
A program that focuses on the humanistic and scientific study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language/linguistic theories and their practical and pedagogical applications. Includes instruction in historical and contemporary rhetoric/composition theories; composition and criticism of written, visual, and mixed-media texts; analysis of literacy practices in cultural and cross-cultural contexts; and writing program administration.
Any instructional program in rhetoric and composition/writing studies not listed above.
A program that focuses on literature from one or more genres, cultures or traditions. Includes instruction in period and genre studies, author studies, literary criticism, and studies of various types of literary text.
A program that focuses on the scholarly study of children's and adolescent literature and that may enhance the professional work of teachers, librarians, publishers, booksellers, and creative writers. Includes instruction in period and genre studies, author studies, literary criticism, studies of various types of literary text, book artists, and children's films.
Any instructional program in English language literature not listed above.
A program that prepares individuals to function in an organization as a composer, editor, and proofreader of business or business-related communications.
A program that prepares individuals to develop and write grant proposals to support an organization or cause. Includes instruction in identifying grant opportunities, developing an effective proposal, budget justifications, and developing a working relationship with the funder.
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$76,400 per yearNational average salaryDecliningJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
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Less than 5 yearsTypical experience requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as editors.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 3%
- College dropout 8%
- Associate’s degree 4%
- Bachelor’s degree 54%
- Master’s degree 23%
- Doctorate degree 6%
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