Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Editors typically need a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English, along with writing and proofreading experience. PayThe median annual wage for editors was $77,920 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of editors is projected to decline 1 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 7,900 openings for editors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for editors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of editors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about editors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for editors was $77,920 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of editors is projected to decline 1 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 7,900 openings for editors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for editors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of editors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about editors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of editors is projected to decline 1 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 7,900 openings for editors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for editors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of editors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about editors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.
Work Environment
Most editors work in offices, whether onsite with their employer or from a remote location. The work can be stressful because editors often have tight deadlines.
How to Become an Editor
Editors typically need a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English, along with writing and proofreading experience.
Pay
The median annual wage for editors was $77,920 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of editors is projected to decline 1 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 7,900 openings for editors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for editors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of editors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about editors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most editors work in offices, whether onsite with their employer or from a remote location. The work can be stressful because editors often have tight deadlines.
How to Become an Editor
Editors typically need a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English, along with writing and proofreading experience.
Pay
The median annual wage for editors was $77,920 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of editors is projected to decline 1 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 7,900 openings for editors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for editors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of editors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about editors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for editors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of editors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about editors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about editors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.