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Content Editor: Job Description, Income & Salary, & How To Become

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Editing is a crucial task in any content-creating field.

While content writers research and create their product, a content editor finalizes it and gives it the okay to be published.

Not only do content editors help businesses look good, but they also advance copywriters and content creators through constructive supervision.

Stick around to learn more about content editors and what it takes to be one.

Before diving into the opportunities and descriptions of a content editor, let’s get some basics out of the way first.

What is a Content Editor?

A content editor is a position that is adaptable in several industries.

The main role involves publishing, creating, managing, and editing content for a company’s medium.

That could be through social media, websites, or other formats.

For this reason, content editors mainly collaborate with the marketing and graphic design team to curate the needed content.

Also Called

Content editors can go by several other names such as

  • Content Creator
  • Digital Editor
  • Content Specialist

What Does a Content Editor Do?

Although content editors are present in every step of the content creation process, they’re mainly focused on the editing portion.

They revise work coming in from copywriters, photographers videographers, social media specialists, and more.

If the mentioned roles aren’t available in the company, then they’ll likely take full part in the content-creating process.

Content Editor Job Description

Content editors need to juggle several tasks such as:

  • Monitoring copywriters and content creators.
  • Provide constructive feedback to their team.
  • Collaborate with the marketing team.
  • Create a content strategy that increases consumer engagement levels.
  • Reach SEO targets and use KPIs to achieve goals.

Work Opportunities in the Content Editor Industry

The content editing role provides a versatile entry to the media industry.

This is beneficial since you’ll be met with several promising opportunities to advance in the field.

The top social media jobs and careers include:

You can find content editors in multiple sectors, whether it’s the education, government, marketing, or even finance fields.

These organizations need their documents, content, and posts to be fact-checked and edited.

What It’s Like to Be a Content Editor

A content editor’s world is filled with deadlines, revisions, and supervision. Learn more below.

Is Being a Content Editor Hard?

Content editing can be a difficult job for many due to the time-consuming tasking.

Imagine having to read through thousands of words and editing meticulously after each sentence to create ideal SEO.

Is a Content Editor’s Job Stressful?

The position tends to be stressful due to the several deadlines you have to meet to submit and publish work.

On top of that, some copywriters may send in work late, which limits your editing time.

Plus, waiting after publishing can be nerve-wracking as you hope to produce enough engagement to reach your KPI standards.

Common Content Editor Work Day

An average content editor’s work day typically begins with a coffee in one hand and your phone in the other.

The hand holding the phone is checking for any updates and emails regarding scheduled work and meetings.

You then review the company’s website, social media, and other mediums to check for any customer feedback that needs a response.

Afterward, you may find yourself in a meeting with the marketing and design team about a product launch.

Next, the hard work begins as you read and edit through the company’s posts, articles, and other content.

At some point, you’ll also review the company’s digital performance analytics and create points for improvement.

Content Editor Tasks & Duties

  • Editing writers’ work.
  • Publish content
  • Cooperating with the marketing team
  • Strategizing posts for enhanced user-friendliness.

Content Editor Work Hours & Schedule

Work hours can vary in this position, where you can work from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM five days a week.

Nevertheless, the position will require you to be flexible and sometimes work during evenings and weekends.

Content Editor Dress Code

In terms of dress code, dressy casual or business casual is ideal.

Meetings may require you to dress more formally, depending on the company style.

Does This Career Field Embrace Work/Life Balance?

A content editor’s life tends to be demanding.

The job may require you to remain excessively online.

Nonetheless, a work-life balance can be achieved with the right boundary-setting practices.

For instance, try to avoid checking your emails on the weekend.

It’s a good start to creating a healthier barrier between your personal and professional life.

How Much Do Content Editors Make?

After knowing your tasks and job description, it’s time to get into the role’s salary.

Since the national median salary in the US falls around $58,000, you can make good money as a content editor.

The latter’s average median salary is slightly lower than that, so it’s a considerably low salary.

On average, content editors can make around $35,000 to $75,000 based on their position and expertise.

Overview of the Content Editor Industry

Overall, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of the content creation industry is predicted to increase by 12.2%.

This rate is forecasted for the period between 2022 and 2032.

That being said, this holds good news for content editors.

Content Editor Field: Career Progression

In the content editor scope, you can branch out to several roles such as becoming a senior editor followed by an editing director.

The highest job level in the editing field is editor-in-chief, which grants you full power to oversee what the company’s publications will look like.

Is a Content Editor a Good Career?

Content editing is a relatively good career to kickstart your journey in the marketing, advertising, or communications field.

It can lead you to become a content writer.

Apart from that, the role provides exceptional job security.

Content Editor Job Outlook

Despite being a good career, a content editor’s job outlook may not reflect well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, editors may see a job decline of 5% between 2021 and 2031.

This may be due to employees shifting careers or retiring.

Demand for Content Editors

With a projected decline in outlook, content editors may not witness as much demand as other occupations.

This decrease could be explained.

When I used to work in the field as a writer, I was expected to both write and edit.

In turn, exclusive editors weren’t as frequently employed.

Plus, with the rise of AI editing and SEO services, company owners may find it more profitable to employ writers who use this technology instead.

Content Editor Facts

If you’re interested in a high-paying content editor position, then you may want to consider the tech sector.

It offers the highest income for its technical content editors.

When it comes to demand, you’ll be able to find more options in New York.

Jobs Related to Content Editor

  • Editor: This role is responsible for overseeing writers’ works and publications whether it’s books, articles, or magazine pieces.
  • Copywriter: The job involves creating copy to engage target consumers through several mediums such as a website.
  • Publicist: This position is tasked with maintaining a company’s professional public image. This can be done through online media platforms, newspapers, and TV channels.

Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Content Editors

Becoming a content editor requires multiple skills and a wide background of knowledge.

Learn more below.

Who Should Consider a Content Editor Career Path?

If you have a certain eye for details and enjoy enhancing communication, a content editing gig might spark your interest.

This job needs someone who is highly versatile with their text editing as well.

For instance, you can expect to edit a speech, article, script, research paper, and more.

This is why I’d recommend this job to fast learners or those who generally enjoy learning about new topics.

Who Should NOT Consider a Content Editor Career Path?

Editing might not be in the books for you if sticking to deadlines is stressful.

Plus, the job requires cramming work, especially when writings deliver work late.

Is It Hard to Become a Content Editor?

Due to the current low demand for content editors, it may be difficult to pursue this career easily.

Nevertheless, the process of becoming one is similar to other jobs in the industry.

You begin with obtaining a degree followed by an internship, and an entry-level position.

What Do I Need to Become a Content Editor?

A content editor role usually requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and years of experience.

Requirements for Becoming a Content Editor

The requirements of a content editor mostly involve:

  • Having a sufficient background in the company’s publishing system.
  • Impeccable writing and editing
  • SEO and KPI knowledge
  • Education degree in a related field such as communications

What Skills Does a Content Editor Need?

To become a successful content editor, you’ll need to achieve the following skills.

  • Proficiency in the publishing mediums such as social media.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication.
  • Have a creative mindset.
  • Focus on the details.
  • Be a team player.
  • Remain on schedule.
  • Be organized.

What Education Does a Content Editor Need?

In most scenarios, an employer will request a formal bachelor’s degree education.

It may also depend on the company’s industry.

For instance, a pharmaceutical company may need a technical writer with a degree in pharmacy.

Can You Become a Content Editor Without a Degree?

It may become difficult to be a content editor without a degree, but it’s possible.

As long as you’re willing to learn, detail-oriented, and motivated, you can gain an employment opportunity.

What Experience Does a Content Editor Need?

Content editor positions are usually offered on the condition of two to five years of experience in the relevant field.

Content Editor Education & Schooling

Most content editors hold a bachelor’s degree to gain entry into the content-creating field.

What is Taught in a Content Editor Course?

  • How to communicate with clients for effortless networking.
  • Understand the needed requirements of professional editing.
  • Using tools to enhance the content structure.
  • Captivate readers with a well-edited copy.

Content editing courses can take around 2 to 15 hours to complete, depending on each program’s outcomes.

Luckily, the degree options for content editors are plentiful.

You can choose between a variety of options and they won’t restrict you to the editing profession alone.

Bachelor’s Degree

  • Literature
  • Business
  • Marketing
  • Communications
  • Media Studies
  • Public Relations
  • Creative Writing
  • Journalism

Master’s Degree

  • Publishing and Editing
  • Literature
  • Creative Writing
  • Writing, Editing, Publishing

Schools for Content Editors

  • Emerson College
  • New York University
  • Ohio State University
  • Baruch College

How to Become a Content Editor

Due to the low demand for content editors, it may be considerably harder trying to attain a position.

That being said, by following the guide below, you’ll better your chances of getting a callback.

  1. Get a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field.
  2. Build your work experience through an internship program.
  3. Create your portfolio.
  4. Start applying for content editor positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between copy editing and content editing?

Copy editors revise articles based on grammatical coherence and syntax.

Meanwhile, content editors make sure the articles are fact-checked and optimized for the best performance on search engines.

Which content writing pays the most?

One of the most high-paying positions in the content writing field is senior technical editor, who earns between $87,000 and $117,000.

Do writers or editors get paid more?

Writers generally earn more compared to editors.

The average income rate for the latter is $50,000.

Creative writers, on the other hand, get paid around $53,000.

Wrapping Up

Hiring a content editor is a major investment for companies. The position adds value to your content and credibility. On top of that, think of them as trainers for in-house writers.

Content editors will guide a brand’s posts in the right direction in terms of SEO and consumer reachability.

Working in this role will provide you with adequate career progression opportunities, where you can eventually shape the brand’s full image.

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