What does an Associate Editor do?
The primary role of an Associate Editor is to ensure that subordinates submit high-quality content. They review and edit copies, set deadlines, and supervise the production details of magazines, newspapers, books, or websites.
Associate editor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate editor resumes:
- Lead development and launch of typesetting service.
- Project manage and write RFP submissions for private industry and federal request for proposals.
- Manage proofreading process for RFP responses, collateral, and other documents to ensure consistency and high quality.
- Assume full editorial responsibility when editor are unavailable, including managing social media accounts and assigning content to freelancers and photographers.
- Share responsibility for site's twitter account.
- Design and laid out client reports using InDesign and PowerPoint.
- Format and archive daily newsletters for e-mail (HTML and ASCII) and fax distribution.
- Train editors in content management, SEO, social media, newsletters, video production and headline writing.
- Gain proficiency in HTML code, CSS, web embeds, Microsoft and Google suite of business tools.
- Listen to, proofread and correct verbatim transcripts of quarterly earnings conference calls of publicly trade companies worldwide.
- Increase daily page views and site subscriptions via SEO best practices, social media outreach and community- and content-base initiatives.
- Review and solicit fiction submissions, line-edite, proofread, transcribe audio lectures for publication, and participate in staff meetings.
- Proofread and copy-edite daily register pages of co-workers.
- Evaluate unsolicited poetry, fiction and non-fiction submissions to the magazine
- Create music and photography sections as well as publicity director position.
Associate editor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Associate Editors are proficient in WordPress, Web Content, and SEO. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Good judgment.
We break down the percentage of Associate Editors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- WordPress, 9%
Researched and wrote three original posts per week for Ceramic Tech Today WordPress blog.
- Web Content, 8%
Work with editor and staff in developing and organizing the content for ModelAviation magazine and web content media.
- SEO, 7%
Worked with internal SEO team to optimize content for high search engine result placement.
- Edit Content, 6%
Develop original story ideas for the online and print magazines and write and edit content (including travel writing/blogging).
- Proofreading, 6%
Maintained editorial accuracy under pressure and assisted with proofreading of publication.
- Twitter, 3%
Managed newsroom and personal Twitter accounts to generate interest and influence of publications.
"wordpress," "web content," and "seo" are among the most common skills that associate editors use at work. You can find even more associate editor responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for an associate editor to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what associate editors do because "editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics." Additionally, an associate editor resume shows how associate editors use creativity: "read submissions in all three areas (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry) and analyzed them for quality. "
Detail oriented. Many associate editor duties rely on detail oriented. "editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication.," so an associate editor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways associate editor responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "developed prototype materials and detailed editorial guidelines for project team. "
Good judgment. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of associate editors is good judgment. This skill is critical to many everyday associate editor duties, as "editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "advised the editor-in-chief regularly on sources, news judgment, and story placement. "
Interpersonal skills. For certain associate editor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of an associate editor rely on this skill, as "in working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what associate editors do: "coordinated interpersonal relations between editorial staff, artists, writers and judges. "
Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in associate editor job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what associate editors do. Associate editor responsibilities rely on this skill because "editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax." You can also see how associate editor duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "served as part of the university communications staff in writing press releases, magazine articles and news tips. "
The three companies that hire the most associate editors are:
- Wolters Kluwer16 associate editors jobs
- Meredith Corporation9 associate editors jobs
- American Physical Society
9 associate editors jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable associate editor resume templates
Build a professional associate editor resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your associate editor resume.
Compare different associate editors
Associate editor vs. Journalist
A journalist is responsible for creating written correspondence, covering various subjects as the management requires. This task involves a lot of research investigations, conducting interviews, and gathering reliable sources to verify the authenticity of data before releasing the articles on news portals and other social platforms. Journalists should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, conveying information to the target audience with high accuracy and efficiency. They analyze opinions and testimonies, create eye-catching headlines, and ensure adherence to deadlines.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between associate editors and journalist. For instance, associate editor responsibilities require skills such as "wordpress," "edit content," "proofreading," and "google analytics." Whereas a journalist is skilled in "excellent interpersonal," "multimedia," "local community," and "edit video." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Journalists really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $64,488. Comparatively, associate editors tend to make the most money in the media industry with an average salary of $53,230.The education levels that journalists earn slightly differ from associate editors. In particular, journalists are 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an associate editor. Additionally, they're 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate editor vs. Staff writer
A staff writer is an individual who works in the television (TV) or entertainment industry to provide standard content such as news reports, reviews, and features. Since writing content is important, staff writers must be able to collaborate and brainstorm ideas with other staff members in the production process. They must attend conferences, events, or seminars to meet other people in the industry. Staff writers must also possess knowledge in scriptwriting and an in-depth understanding of the entertainment industry.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that associate editor responsibilities requires skills like "wordpress," "edit content," "proofreading," and "google analytics." But a staff writer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "event coverage," "photography," "student life," and "opinion pieces."
Staff writers may earn a lower salary than associate editors, but staff writers earn the most pay in the non profits industry with an average salary of $54,426. On the other hand, associate editors receive higher pay in the media industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,230.staff writers earn lower levels of education than associate editors in general. They're 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Associate Editors in the next 3-5 years?
Bradley Shreve
Editor, Tribal College Journal
Associate editor vs. Editorial internship
An editorial intern is responsible for assisting the editorial team in publishing digital and media content, writing articles, and managing readers' reviews. Editorial interns must have excellent knowledge of the industry they work for, suggesting the latest trends and featured topics, taking notes of the tenured employees' advice and observations, and actively joining brainstorming sessions. An editorial intern must be detail-oriented and take constructive feedback as an opportunity to learn. It is also crucial to have outstanding communication and proofreading skills and keep all the materials confidential until release.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an associate editor is likely to be skilled in "wordpress," "edit content," "proofreading," and "digital content," while a typical editorial internship is skilled in "fact-check," "editorial intern," "administrative tasks," and "editorial content."
Editorial interns earn the highest salary when working in the media industry, where they receive an average salary of $33,508. Comparatively, associate editors have the highest earning potential in the media industry, with an average salary of $53,230.editorial interns typically earn lower educational levels compared to associate editors. Specifically, they're 5.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate editor vs. Reporter
In journalism, a reporter is responsible for relaying truthful and reliable information to the public audience through various mediums such as print and media. A reporter must ensure to gather necessary and factual data that are supported by interviews and comments of those involved, remain unbiased in all aspects, produce a concise and comprehensive informational material within an allotted time, and efficiently coordinate with every staff. Furthermore, a reporter must remain professional at all times and adhere to the policies and regulations set by the company or network.
Types of associate editor
Updated January 8, 2025
