How To Become an Editor
What Is an Editor?
An editor is a media professional who is responsible for ensuring the quality of written content intended for publication. Editors typically plan a content schedule, assign content to writers and review and edit finished drafts to prepare them for publication. Editors may work on content intended for publication either online or in print.
There are different types of editors, including those who specialize in working on books and magazines. A developmental editor, for example, will review manuscripts and recommend improvements to plots, character development and structure. A line editor focuses more narrowly on sentence-level edits, while a copy editor specializes more narrowly still on punctuation and other grammar issues.
Number of books published in the U.S. in 2025(See disclaimer 1)
What Does an Editor Do?
Because there are multiple types of editors working in different fields and industries, the job responsibilities of an editor can vary. All types of editors, however, are responsible for ensuring quality in published content. Editors work closely with other professionals, such as writers, web designers and graphic designers, to develop the vision for each piece of content and bring it to fruition. They are responsible for the entire lifecycle of the content — from planning to polishing for publication.
Some of the main job responsibilities of an editor include:
Planning
Editors build and manage an editorial calendar to organize upcoming content and deadlines.
Assigning
They distribute writing assignments to in-house staff and/or freelance contributors.
Consulting
These professionals provide guidance and feedback to writers throughout the content development process.
Revising
Editors review drafts for clarity, accuracy, structure and adherence to style standards.
Fact-Checking
They verify facts, sources and supporting details prior to publication.
Coordinating
They align content production and publication schedules across teams and platforms.
What Experience and Education Does an Editor Need?
The path for how to become an editor typically involves earning a bachelor’s degree and building hands-on writing and editing experience.(See disclaimer 2) Many editors gain relevant experience by working as writers, reporters or editorial assistants before moving into editing roles.
High School Diploma
College Degree
Internships
Entry-Level Roles
Best Degrees for an Editor
Although there are no universal degree requirements for becoming an editor, it’s best to choose a writing-intensive degree. This is because editors need strong writing skills and extensive experience to edit and revise content effectively.(See disclaimer 2) An editor typically needs to focus on both high-level matters, such as structure and flow and sentence-level matters, such as grammar and word choice. A writing-intensive degree can teach these essential writing skills.(See disclaimer 2)
A typical writing-intensive degree may cover topics such as:
Creative writing strategies
Short-form and long-form journalism
Multimedia copywriting techniques
Composing public relations material
Technical and scientific writing
Grant writing and funding processes
GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Editors
3 Matching Degrees
What Skills Does an Editor Need?
An editor typically needs a mix of creative and technical skills, along with soft skills that support effectiveness in the workplace.(See disclaimer 2) Some skill requirements may differ, depending on the industry and editing specialization.
Essential skills for an effective editor include:(See disclaimer 2,3)
Writing skills
Attention to detail
Creativity
Professional judgment
Interpersonal skills
Professional ethics
Where Do Editors Work?
Editors may work across a wide range of fields, industries and specializations, both within organizations and independently, making editing a versatile communications career. Many editors are employed in‑house by publications, companies or institutions, while others work as freelancers running their own editorial businesses.(See disclaimer 3,4) In today’s AI‑influenced, digital‑first environment, editorial roles can extend well beyond traditional print publishing into diverse sectors.
Some common work settings, industries and job duties for editors include:(See disclaimer 3,4,6,7,8)
Digital content and media platforms
Plan, review and oversee written content for digital publications, streaming services and social platforms, collaborating across multimedia teams
Advertising and marketing firms
Edit advertising copy and branded digital content for marketing and branding agencies, ensuring clarity, consistency and alignment with established brand voice
Corporate and technical communications
Edit internal documents, reports and technical materials to support clear, compliant organizational communication
Education and academic publishing
Edit textbooks, journals and academic publications to ensure accuracy, citation standards and peer‑review readiness
AI-integrated editorial workplaces
Review and refine AI‑assisted content within digital and organizational workplaces, ensuring human editorial judgment guides accuracy, clarity and ethical standards
Government and nonprofit organizations
Edit policy documents, reports and public‑facing materials to promote clarity, accessibility and accountability
Freelance and remote editorial work
Provide editorial services across industries as an independent contractor, often working remotely on digital content
Newspapers and magazines
Edit news and feature content for print and digital publications, coordinating with writers to refine stories, meet deadlines and maintain editorial standards
Publishing houses
Evaluate, edit and prepare book manuscripts for publication, collaborating with authors and production teams throughout the publishing process
Scientific and technical services
Review and edit technical manuals, research documents and STEM‑related content to ensure accuracy, clarity and proper technical terminology
Median annual salary for an editor as of May 2024(See disclaimer 5)
Estimated number of job openings for editors per year from 2024 through 2034(See disclaimer 9)
Advancement Opportunities for Editors
Over the course of an editor’s career, roles and responsibilities can vary based on experience, interests and work setting. Some editors take on additional leadership or coordination duties, while others seek opportunities with different publications or organizations.(See disclaimer 2) Editors may also choose to work independently, offering editorial services as freelancers or operating their own businesses.(See disclaimer 2)
Explore More on Editors
Get more career planning insights with these blog articles on editors and what they do.
From developmental editing to copy editing and beyond, there are many types of editors. Learn about the different responsibilities as you plan your career goals.
Learn how to get editing experience while still in high school or college.
Explore the many career possibilities in editing for people with strong language skills.
Explore how writing‑focused careers like editing can shape clear, impactful stories across today’s digital and print platforms. Apply online at GCU today!
- Milliot, J. (2026, March 17). Book Output Topped Four Million in 2025. Publisher’s Weekly. Retrieved March 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How to Become an Editor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Editors: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 2026.
- Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, Dec. 12). How To Get a Job in Editing (With Important Skills). Indeed. Retrieved March 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Editors, as of May 2024, retrieved March 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as editors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Editors: What Editors Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, February). Monthly Labor Review. Retrieved March 2026.
- Career Explorer. (n.d.). What Does an Editor Do? Retrieved March 2026.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Editors, retrieved March 2026.