Editors
Editors plan, coordinate, and revise written material for publication or internal use. They review proposals and drafts, checking for clarity, accuracy, and style. Editors work in publishing houses, media organizations, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit institutions.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against editors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
An editor's week typically involves reviewing manuscripts or articles, providing feedback to writers, and revising content for grammar and consistency. Editors coordinate with authors and designers, manage publication timelines, and make decisions about what material moves forward. Tasks vary based on specialization—some focus on copy editing, others on substantive revision or acquisitions.
Who this work suits
Holland code ACE. Artistic work is creating and designing, with room for self-expression. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy this work if you're drawn to the artistic side of language and communication while also valuing precision and order. You tend to notice details others miss and find satisfaction in making written work clearer and stronger for its audience.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience).
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- PLOS One Public Health and Epidemiology Associate Editor- 2 Year Full Time Contr · Public Library of Science · United States · Remote
- WRITER EDITOR (PRINTED MEDIA) · National Defense University · Fort McNair, District of Columbia · $102415–$133142
- TECHNICAL EDITOR · U.S. Pacific Fleet · Naval Station Complex, San Diego, California · $102246–$132923
- Real Estate Photo Editor · Teams Squared · United States · Remote
- Video Editor · PlanetScale · Remote · Remote
- TECH WRITER/EDITOR · U.S. Coast Guard · Elizabeth City, North Carolina · $62640–$81436
- WRITER-EDITOR · Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff · Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia · $85447–$158322
- Writer-Editor (Senior) · Patent and Trademark Office · Alexandria, Virginia · $143913–$187093
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $76,790 | $101,480 | $140,320 | 16,800 |
| California | $71,090 | $98,030 | $136,820 | 14,830 |
| Connecticut | $61,160 | $85,950 | $123,380 | 1,050 |
| District of Columbia | $77,400 | $83,920 | $130,360 | 3,310 |
| Massachusetts | $61,490 | $83,170 | $103,620 | 3,100 |
| New Jersey | $64,990 | $81,680 | $107,830 | 2,120 |
| Virginia | $58,990 | $80,590 | $109,090 | 2,720 |
| Rhode Island | $59,000 | $77,960 | $82,020 | 340 |
| Colorado | $58,510 | $77,870 | $98,170 | 1,830 |
| Washington | $56,900 | $77,850 | $100,580 | 1,860 |
| Georgia | $60,770 | $76,650 | $90,360 | 1,920 |
| Illinois | $62,370 | $76,060 | $100,750 | 4,560 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) — National Resume Writers Association
- Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) — International Society for Medical Publication Professionals
- Avid Certified Support Representative: Avid VENUE | S6L (ACSR) — Avid Technology, Inc.
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
and 3 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against editors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 27-3041.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.