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Newspaper Editors


Overview

Newspaper Editors

Introduction

Newspaper editors assign, review, edit, rewrite, and lay out all copy in a newspaper except advertisements. Editors sometimes write stories or editorials that offer opinions on issues. They review the editorial page and copy written by staff or syndicated columnists. A large metropolitan daily newspaper staff may include various editors who process thousands of words into print daily. A small town staff of a weekly newspaper, however, may include only one editor, who might be both owner and star reporter. Large metropolitan areas, s...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$61,370

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Employment Prospects

Fair

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Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree


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Experience

Several years' experience


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Skills

Leadership
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Personality Traits

Conventional
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Earnings

Salaries for newspaper editors vary from small to large communities, but editors generally are well compensated. Other factors affecting compensation include quality of education and previous experience, job level, and the newspaper's circulation. Large metropolitan dailies offer higher-paying jobs, while outlying weekly papers pay less.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the med...

Work Environment

The environments in which editors work vary widely. For the most part, publishers of all kinds realize that a quiet atmosphere is conducive to work that requires tremendous concentration. It takes an unusual ability to edit in a noisy place. Most editors work in private offices or cubicles. Even in relatively quiet surroundings, however, editors often have many distractions. In many cases, edit...

Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for editors and writers is highly competitive, with employment projected to decline 3 percent through 2028. Opportunities will be better on small daily and weekly newspapers, where the pay is lower. Online publications are also expected to offer more opportunities for editors and writers. Also, some publications hire freelance editors to sup...