Occupations27-3041.00

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material.

Median annual pay
$75,260

BLS, 2024

Employment
115,800

U.S., 2024

Ten-year outlook
+0.6%

2024–34

Annual openings
9,800

Projected average

The work

Core tasks

  1. 01Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
  2. 02Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
  3. 03Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
  4. 04Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
  5. 05Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
  6. 06Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
  7. 07Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
  8. 08Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
  9. 09Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.
  10. 10Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
  11. 11Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.
  12. 12Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Reading ComprehensionWritingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive LearningMonitoringLearning StrategiesMathematicsScience

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading

U.S. employment is projected to move from 115,800 in 2024 to 116,500 in 2034, a +0.6% change.

BLS projects an average of 9,800 openings each year over the period, including openings created by workers leaving the occupation.