Career Trends: Editors

Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.

Although most editors work in offices, a growing number now work remotely from home. The work can be stressful because editors often have tight deadlines.

Proficiency with computers and a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English are typically required to become an editor.

Employment of editors is projected to decline 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, as print media continue to face strong pressure from online publications. Competition for jobs with established newspapers and magazines will be particularly strong.

This occupation supported 115,300 jobs in 2012 and 117,200 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 1.6%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to decrease by 2.4% in 2022 to 112,500 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 114,700, compared with an observed value of 117,200, 2.2% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 5.4% in 2024 to 111,000 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 111,900 jobs for 2024, 0.8% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.