How to Become a Magazine Editor

To become a magazine editor, you must have a degree.

To become a magazine editor, you must be a strong writer with excellent grammar and spelling skills.

High school students should consider English and other humanities subjects.

You might be interested in contributing to or editing a school newspaper.

To work as a magazine editor, you must have a college degree.

An ideal qualification would be a four-year bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, and writing.

Many editors begin their careers as staff writers or journalists. Others may start as editorial assistants.

You should get experience while you are in college.

Internships can also be very valuable.

For each year at college, you should complete at least one internship.

You can get a full-time job after this.

Job Description for Magazine Editor

An editor in a magazine is the one who pulls together an issue.

They will generate story ideas and feature ideas, and then they’ll delegate them to the writers.

They will also examine story ideas provided by writers.

A magazine editor’s role is to revise and rewrite work by writers to make it conform to the publication’s standards.

Editors may even write the articles.

An editor of a magazine is knowledgeable about the type of magazine they are editing.

For example, a fashion magazine editor will be well-versed in this field.

Magazine editors are responsible for the production of each issue.

They might attend meetings with magazine managers and maintain close contact with advertorial staff.

They might hire interns and are always looking for new writing talent.

Freelance writers are becoming more popular for their work in magazines.

Magazine editors will communicate with freelance writers to give writing assignments or consider story ideas.

These are the duties of a magazine editor.

  • Consistency is critical to a magazine’s success.
  • Make sure your writing style is professional and of high quality
  • Rewrite and edit material
  • Assignments for delegate writers
  • Get in touch with freelance writers
  • Talk to other magazine staff
  • Stay up-to-date with industry news

Magazine Editor Salary and Career Path

Once you have completed your studies, you will be ready to take on the role of a writer.

Many people get their first job at a small publication. You’ll research stories, write them, and look for new ideas.

After a few years of experience as a writer, it may be time to transition into editing.

You might be interested in a position as an editorial assistant.

Look for a specific magazine you are interested in working for.

As an editor’s assistant, you will gain the necessary experience to become a magazine editor.

Although you might not be able to start working in the magazine you choose, experience and skills will help you get a job in more prestigious publications.

A typical salary for an editor is $49,000 per year.

But, if your job were to be a magazine editor at a significant publication, your salary would be higher.

The top 10% earn more than $95,000 per year.

Magazine editors may move to other managerial positions within a publication, while others will become freelance editors.

These roles are similar to those of magazine editors.

  • Editor
  • Writer
  • Author
  • Journalist
  • Copywriter
  • Editor’s assistant
  • English teacher
  • Marketing Executive
  • Advertising Executive

You can expect to be a magazine editor, combining editing and writing talent with managerial skills.

Although this role is well-paying, it will require some work experience.

Most Frequently Asked Questions

What is a magazine editor?

A magazine editor’s primary responsibility is to edit and improve an article.

A magazine editor’s duties include proofreading, editing, punctuation, spelling, and other details. They also have to ensure that the article conforms to the style guidelines.

There are three types of magazine editors: the managing editor (copy editor), the engagement editor, and the editor-in-chief (editor-in-chief).

For example, the copy editor checks facts and grammar, writes headlines or introductory sentences (if needed), reviews photos, and arranges sidebars and layouts…

How much do magazine editors make?

A magazine editor in America can earn an average of $53.000 annually.

If you choose this career path, your annual earnings can range from $28.000 to 99.000.

Your education, experience, location, and other factors will all impact the salary.

The highest average salaries for magazine editors who work in New York, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia are, for instance, the ones that live in New York.

A magazine editor at entry level can earn approximately $13.00 an hour, while a professional with more experience can make $48.00 an hour.

What does it cost to be a magazine editor?

Most professionals hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English or communications, or a related field.

An entire year at university will cost between $8.000 to $45.000. This is due to several factors.

You can get a master’s in editing and publishing to improve your job prospects. It will cost $6.000 to $70.000 per year.

In most cases, graphic design and editing software classes can be beneficial.

What’s the demand for magazine editors?

Based to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the market for magazine editors is expected to shrink by 1.4% between 2016 and 2026.

This is undoubtedly slower than the average time for all occupations in America.

People proficient in the internet and technical skills will be more likely to get the best-paid jobs.

This industry is concentrated in Texas, New York, and California.

What is the average time it takes to become a magazine editor?

Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree will take 4 years.

To get on-the-job experience, consider applying for an internship in your final years at university. Most employers prefer candidates with at least a few years of relevant experience.

You can find many computer classes online or offline—some short-term courses last 1.5 to 2 months.