Copy Editors are in charge of reviewing text in blogs, websites, magazines, newspapers, and other written articles, to make sure they are free of grammatical errors and are easy to read.
Most news articles and magazines are required to have at least a ninth-grade reading level.
It’s a Copy Editors job to make sure this is achieved in every piece of text they sift through.
If you love to read, write and have attention to detail, a career as a Copy Editor may be perfect for you!
Copy Editor Job Information
| Official Job Title | Copy Editor/Proofreader |
| Average Salary | $58,870 |
| Stress Level | Average |
| Work/Life | May have to work longer hours |
| Job Satisfaction | Average |
| Career Advancement | Above average |
Copy Editor Job Description
What is a Copy Editor?
Copy Editors review text or “copy” in reading materials to check for grammatical errors, unreadable sentences, and proper text flow.
Copy editors are important, especially in the media world–they help media outlets look professional by providing copy that looks like an intelligent source wrote it.
Copy editors usually work in newspapers, magazines, or book publishing industries, providing perfectly proofread content for readers.
What Does a Copy Editor Do Daily?
On a typical day, Copy Editors will be working with a team to ensure a quality piece of written material goes out to their audiences.
They will probably be collaborating with other team members, editing documents, editing blogs, news articles, press materials, ad copy, and other written materials.
Most of their daily duties include writing and editing, so if you enjoy these tasks, you will love this career path.
Responsibilities, Duties & Roles of a Copy Editor
Copy Editors will be responsible for reviewing and editing content for newspapers, magazines, websites, and more.
This will be the primary duty of any Copy Editor, but they may also be in charge of fact-checking news articles before posting or printing, especially in recent years of misinformation.
Other duties include managing other copy editors, working with other departments to maximize the potential of copy, writing copy in certain instances, and other writing and editing tasks.
Copy Editor Salary
Average Salary
The average Copy Editor’s salary in the United States is currently $75,100.
Starting Salary
Entry-level Copy Editor jobs average around $58,339 a year.
Senior Salary
Senior-level Copy Editors can earn up to $90,000 per year or more, according to GlassDoor.com.
How to Become a Copy Editor
The Entry Level: Certifications, Training & Degree
Most Copy Editor positions will require at least a bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or another related field.
Employers will want someone who has basic knowledge of the industry, which they would learn in college.
College experience at a college newspaper or an internship is not required but will look great on your resume.
If you choose not to go to college, a possible Copy Editing certificate would be helpful for your job search.
Other Skillsets, Requirements & Qualifications
Copy Editors will be required to have a vast knowledge of English grammar and spelling and AP style.
AP Style, or Associated Press Style, is a common writing and grammar style used in the news and publishing industry.
You will learn more about it in college, but you will need to remember how to use it throughout your whole career!
How Long Does it Take to Become a Copy Editor?
It will usually take four years to become a Copy Editor since earning a bachelor’s degree will take around the same amount of time.
Within these four years, potential Copy Editors should learn everything they can about reading and writing for readability.
Is It Hard to Become a Copy Editor?
While it is not too difficult to become a Copy Editor, the job market is tough in this field.
You have freelance workers who have trained themselves up to the position, but they might not have the educational requirements every organization wants.
Trained professionals who are not freelancers have a slightly better chance of finding a job since they have proven experience, but then you have to compete with everyone else who has a degree and experience.
You will need to set yourself apart from other Copy Editors to earn your position.
Copy Editor Career Paths
The Copy Editor Career Roadmap
Copy Editors usually start as interns, assistants, or secondary Copy Editors.
Once they gain at least one year of experience, they usually transition into a typical Copy Editor role.
Projections for Growth in Copy Editors
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a five percent decline in Copy Editor jobs through 2031.
In Summary: Is a Copy Editor a Good Career?
If you like to write and edit, becoming a Copy Editor would be a great career choice.
Copy editors make a pretty good wage, get to work on a range of different projects, and have a great chance at career advancement.
Working Conditions
Can a Copy Editor Work Remotely from Home?
Yes!
In this great technological age, Copy Editors can easily do most of their work from home through emails and video calls.
Most Copy Editing jobs will probably be located in an office within a company, but there are more and more remote Copy Editor jobs becoming available.
How Many Hours a Week Does a Copy Editor Work?
Most Copy Editors will work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., totaling up to a 40-hour workweek.
In many cases, if editors have to complete something on a tight deadline, they will probably have to put in more than 40 hours.
Can a Copy Editor Work Part-Time?
Most Copy Editors will work a 40-hour workweek, but in some cases, you may work in a position that only requires your help for a couple of hours a week.
A lot of small businesses or internships will have part-time opportunities available.
What are the Average Vacation Days for a Copy Editor?
If working full-time, most Copy Editors will receive two weeks of paid vacation days each year, potentially earning more each year they work for their company.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Copy Editor
- Content Marketing Manager
- Brand Strategist
- Grant Writer
- Video Game Writer
- Proposal Writer
- Screenwriter
- Film Editor
- Content Strategist
- Multimedia Artist
- Public Relationship Manager
- Content Creator
Copy Editor Resume Tips
AP Style is very important in the publishing and media industries, so why not format your resume in AP Style?
It will show hiring managers that you know how to write and edit correctly.
Along with formatting your resume in AP Style, make sure to double-check, triple-check, and, yes, even quadruple-check your grammar and spelling.
You’re applying to become a Copy Editor–the person who checks for grammar and spelling.
It would be awkward if you were applying for this type of job, but your resume has spelling errors.
Always check it before you send it out!
Besides formatting and editing, highlight your best copy editing skills in a skills section on your resume, include any organizations you belong to or have belonged to, and go into detail with your past work experience.
Copy Editor Interview Questions
Q1: What is your approach to ensuring the copy is accurate and high quality?
Why It Works: This question will show employers your methods to copy editing and copywriting.
They want to see if your methods are effective or not within their company.
Q2: Tell me about a time you had to work on a tight deadline.
Why It Works: Many Copy Editors will have to work on tight deadlines.
Employers want to know how you handle stress and multiple projects at once, especially ones that need to be completed quickly.
Q3: How do you plan and organize your workload?
Why It Works: Like mentioned in the last question, Copy Editors will have to work on tight deadlines, and sometimes they will be working on multiple projects at once.
Employers want to know how you handle lots of work while maintaining quality.
Q4: Can you tell me about your experience as a Copy Editor?
Why It Works: This question will give employers a better idea of who you are and what type of work you have completed in the past.
Jobs Similar to Copy Editor
Copy Editors, fortunately, have a lot of options in jobs because of their backgrounds. Related jobs include:
- Writer
- Author
- Marketing Professional
- Advertising Professional
- Copy Writer
- Technical Writer
- SEO Manager
- Digital Marketer
- Press Secretary
- Speech Writer
For HR Managers: Tips for Hiring a Copy Editor
Key Characteristics to Look for in a Copy Editor
Copy Editors should have excellent spelling and grammar knowledge, AP Style knowledge, be great communicators, and be able to work under pressure.
Strong attention to detail is especially important in this job position too.
Minimum Level of Education & Experience
Every company will have different requirements, but a professional Copy Editor should have at least a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or Public Relations and have at least an internship or one year of experience completed.