Copy editors: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Copy editors proofread text for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling and check for readability, style, and agreement with editorial policy. They suggest revisions, such as changing words and rearranging sentences and paragraphs to improve clarity or accuracy. They also may carry out research, confirm sources, and verify facts, dates, and statistics. In addition, they may arrange page layouts of articles, photographs, and advertising.
- Education Required
- Employers generally prefer candidates with a bachelors degree in communications, journalism, or English. They also prefer candidates who have experience in a few types of media, such as newspapers, social media, and television.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 0% (Little or no change)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Some editors hold management positions and must make decisions related to running a business. For them, advancement generally means moving up to publications with larger circulation or greater prestige. Copy editors may move into original writing or substantive editing positions, or become freelancers.
- Median pay: How much do Editors make?
- $57,210 Annual Salary
- $27.51 per hour
Careers for Editors
- Advertising editors
- Art editors
- Assignment editors
- Assistant editors
- Book editors
- Content editors
- Copy desk chiefs
- Executive editors
- Index editors
- Managing editors
- Manuscript editors
- Newspaper photo editors
- Production assistants
- Publication assistants
- Publications editors
- Rewrite editors
- Scientific publications editors