Editor

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Work Tasks

EDITORS select and prepare material for publication or broadcasting, and supervise writers. Editors assign topics to reporters and writers. They review, rewrite, and edit the work of writers. They may also do original writing. They plan the contents of books, technical journals, trade magazines, and other general interest publications. Editors decide what material will appeal to readers, review and edit drafts of books and articles, offer comments to improve the work, and suggest possible titles. They oversee the production of the publication. They hire writers, reporters, or other employees, plan budgets, and negotiate contracts with freelance writers.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $53,500 average per year ($25.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (104,800 workers in 2010)
• Expected to not change (0.0% per year)

Entry Requirements

A college degree is generally required to be an EDITOR. Some employers look for a broad liberal arts background, but most prefer to hire those with degrees in communications, journalism, or English. Knowledge of electronic publishing, graphics, and video production equipment is increasingly needed. Online newspapers and magazines require knowledge of computer software used to combine online text with graphics, audio, video, and 3-D animation. High school and college newspapers, etc. provide valuable, but sometimes unpaid, practical experience.