Editors shape written and visual content for publication across media. You'll refine language, manage projects, and work with teams to deliver polished final products. Most editors hold a bachelor's degree and bring strong writing and critical thinking skills to the role.
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Editors review, revise, and refine written and visual content before it reaches audiences. You read carefully for clarity, accuracy, and style. You communicate with writers, designers, and supervisors to improve work and meet deadlines. You think creatively about how to present information and make decisions about what stays, what goes, and what needs rework. You also gather information from sources and stakeholders, solve problems when conflicts arise, and sometimes communicate directly with people outside your organization to clarify details or gather feedback.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Editors earn a median of $77,920 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 1 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 9,800 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most editors earn a bachelor's degree, often in English, journalism, communications, or a related field. During your studies, you'll develop strong reading comprehension and writing skills, learn how to think critically about language and structure, and practice active listening in collaborative settings. You'll also build knowledge of communications, media, and how organizations work. Many editors start with internships or entry-level positions in publishing, media, or communications while still in school, then move into full editor roles after graduation.
Paths to editing vary by industry and role, so deciding whether to pursue a general bachelor's degree or a specialized program comes down to your interests and career goals. Use Pathly can map the editor path that fits you to map out your options step by step, and keep your counselor in the loop as you explore.
You do not need a license to work as an editor, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to creative work and enjoy shaping ideas and language. You think deeply about how to communicate effectively and take satisfaction in refining others' work into its best form.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).