Occupation Details
Editors
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
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Interests
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$56,490.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$85,290.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$130,830.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
18,150
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
19,330
+118 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,907
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Desktop computers
- Digital still cameras
- Digital video cameras
- Laptop computers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Precision rulers
- Teleconferencing equipment
- Universal serial bus USB flash drives
- Video editing equipment
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Systems Adobe Captivate
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe FrameMaker
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InCopy
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- After the Deadline
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple iWork Keynote
- Apple macOS
- AutoCrit Editing Wizard
- Avid Technology Media Composer
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- interview job applicants
- hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
- recommend improvements to work methods or procedures
- implement staff policies
- edit written material
- negotiate business contracts
- supervise production workers
- assign work to staff or employees
- conduct meetings with staff to ensure production objectives are met
- proofread printed or written material
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- oversee execution of organizational or program policies
- coordinate production materials, activities or processes
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- schedule work to meet deadlines
- verify sources or documentation for stories
- identify interests of publication readers
- interpret information to formulate story ideas
- index information resources
- calculate headline size or count
- organize story elements
- organize journalistic or literary data
- verify investigative information
- follow copyright laws
- make decisions
- approve product design or changes
- communicate visually or verbally
- set page layout or composition
- write headlines
- conduct or attend staff meetings
- consult with managerial or supervisory personnel
- read production layouts
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
- Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
- Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
- Monitor news-gathering operations to ensure utilization of all news sources, such as press releases, telephone contacts, radio, television, wire services, and other reporters.
- Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.
- Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
- Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.
- Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value.
- Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.
- Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.
- Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments.
- Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage.
- Meet frequently with artists, typesetters, layout personnel, marketing directors, and production managers to discuss projects and resolve problems.
- Arrange for copyright permissions.
- Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers.
- Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Broadcast Journalists and Newswriters
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreWriters and editors
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More