Hiring Editors

What to Expect

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Via OOH: Editors review, rewrite, and edit the work of writers. They also may do original writing. An editor’s responsibilities vary with the employer and type and level of editorial position held. Editorial duties may include planning the content of books, journals, magazines, and other general-interest publications.

Editors also review story ideas proposed by staff and freelance writers then decide what material will appeal to readers. They review and edit drafts of books and articles, offer comments to improve the work, and suggest possible titles. In addition, they may oversee the production of publications. In the book-publishing industry, an editor’s primary responsibility is to review proposals for books and decide whether to buy the publication rights from the author.

What to Pay

The editor with an impressive portfolio of work should earn about $28.53 an hour¹.  That’s an hourly savings of $8.64 compared to the editor who is hired as a full-time employee with benefits².

¹Based on 2010 national estimates for this occupation (via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
²Based on a total compensation cost of 30.3% (via EBRI.)

External Resources:

1. The Complete Guide to Finding & Hiring the Best Employees
2. The Truth About Improving Your Hiring Skills (Collection)
3. Tips When Hiring and Firing Employees: 50 Plus One