Salary: Median—$43,620 per year
Employment Outlook: Good
Definition and Nature of the Work
In general, magazines fall into two categories: business and professional and those intended for the general public. A magazine's success depends largely on the work of its editors.
There are different kinds of editors on a magazine, and their specific duties vary. On large magazines, the executive editor or editor in chief sees that the company's editorial policy is carried out. This job is primarily administrative, but the whole magazine—text, pictures, captions, and headings—is the final responsibility of the editor in chief. On most magazines the chief editor also expresses the magazine's point of view through editorials, which are short essays on subjects of current reader interest.
Most large publications hire managing editors to take charge of getting each issue out on time. These editors look after the day-to-day work of selecting articles, arranging copy, and supervising other editors. Sometimes they are put in charge of a bureau or branch office in another location such as New York or California.
The editorial staff on a magazine may include senior editors, associate editors, assistant editors, and editorial assistants. These editors may have different job titles, but their basic responsibility is selecting and editing articles or stories for each issue of the magazine.
In general, editors do not write articles. Instead, they form and shape the content of an article, which is usually written by staff writers or freelancers. Editors revise articles and may write headlines and captions and review page proofs. They must also be sure that the articles are the right length. If a story is too long, for instance, it must be cut very carefully to fit the space available. In addition, editors plan the artwork, illustrations, and photos that go with each story. They work closely with the art and production departments to prepare and approve page layouts that carry out the magazine's visual or graphic style. To help them, editors have editorial assistants who may answer letters, do research, or screen manuscripts that arrive at the magazine. When the editor finishes with an article, it goes to a copy editor, who reviews, corrects, and tweaks the article to fit the magazine's style.
On smaller magazines, which have smaller staffs, the executive or chief editor may perform a variety of editorial tasks, such as writing, editing, and copyediting, besides supervising the staff and keeping the magazine on schedule. In a small company each staff member has multiple jobs.
Editors discuss and review the schedule for an upcoming publication.
Education and Training Requirements
Most magazine editors have a college degree in either English or journalism. Some have a master's degree. Other college majors are acceptable—especially for technical or special-interest magazines—although courses in English and journalism are also necessary. A strong background in liberal arts is preferred. Those who want to be editors should have a broad range of knowledge and keep up with current events.
Advanced computer skills and a good sense of language and grammar are necessary in the field of magazine editing. High school and college experience in journalism can help a prospective candidate land a job. Any specialized knowledge can be useful in getting a start with a magazine in a specific field. In most cases training for magazine editors is informal and occurs on the job.
Getting the Job
Magazine editors generally enter the field as copy editors or editorial assistants. Some people get jobs as magazine editors after spending time as editorial workers for small newspapers. Others become magazine editors after working in the field in which the magazine specializes. For instance, an engineer may become an editor for a professional engineering magazine.
College placement offices sometimes help graduates find entry-level editorial positions. Two helpful tools in finding magazines in various fields—the Literary Market Place (LMP) and the Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media—can be found at most medium- to large-sized public libraries. In addition, Internet job sites and the classified sections of newspapers and trade magazines such as Publishers Weekly list job openings.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Experience and talent are the most important qualities in determining advancement. The employment outlook for magazine editors is good. There will always be stiff competition for jobs on popular and national magazines. With the rise of online publications, however, there are growing opportunities on the Internet.
Working Conditions
The editorial offices of magazines can be very busy places. The pressures of the job are great, and tension increases with the approach of each deadline. Magazine editors work with many different kinds of people and must coordinate the efforts of writers, photographers, and other editors. The job also carries responsibility—not just to the magazine but also to the reading public. Each fact must be carefully checked before publication.
Editors usually work a forty-hour week; however, as deadlines approach or during very busy times, overtime and weekend work are often required.
Earnings and Benefits
Salaries vary considerably in the field of magazine editing. The editor's job level and experience and the type and location of the magazine all affect wages. Several surveys conducted in 2004 indicate that magazine editors earned a median yearly income of $43,620. Managing and executive editors earned much more.
Benefits for magazine editors vary with each magazine. They may include paid vacations, medical coverage, and various retirement plans.
User Comments Add a comment…
20 days ago
Thanks so much for those address. I'm only in tenth grade but I've been looking forward to going to NYU and becoming a editor. Thanks again!
26 days ago
hey thanks for the info..... i just wanna know if it would be enough to take media journalism, communications and media at tafe and do journalism and english in uni to get the job??
about 1 month ago
i want to work in fashion journalsim- editor of a fashion mag!!!!!! Like the next ANNA WINTOUR! amzing- not sure how though!
3 months ago
Thanks for the information. It seems like a lot of people on here want to be editors for different magazines, and have set high goals, just like me. It's kind of interesting, because I went through each comment and found a mistake in almost every one. I hope someday I can look back at this site and be proud of the aspirations I set for myself. Thanks again!
3 months ago
I really enjoy reading this, i know for sure that this is something i want to do now.I have to abmit i was a little scard about going to SCAD ( Savannah college of arts & design) in the fall,for photography amd this kind of work, so i can become a photo editor, but i'm pretty excited now.
3 months ago
I am 17 and Im going into grade 12. I have always been stuck when thinking about what to do after highschool. I am an art student and always just figured I would end up doing something to do with art or graphic design. Well, now its getting closer and closer and I need to make up my mind. Then, the idea of being a magazine editor for a teen magazine like Popstar or TigerBeat really caught my interest. I was on the yearbook committe last year but sadly there didnt end up being a yearbook. So, this year I am going to take charge of getting my school a yearbook. I do my own scrapbooking and I buy all the newest teen magazines, they fascinate me. This is what I want and I want to know how to achieve this dream of mine. I read that you need a degree in engish or journalism, but what about the design element of this career path? I am very interested and I want to know more.
3 months ago
Well after reading this very interesting and yet none the doubtful article, I felt more up to entering the field of magazine publishing.I' am currently 16 years old and currently clubs & organizations editor for my high school yearbook (Editor-in-Chief as of next year). This article really helped a lot and I know that I want to be a editor for Blender,GQ, or Teen Vogue. Thanks.
3 months ago
thanks for the info this is the type of research i was looking for for my career project i have a big passion for writing and i know that i'm going to be a magazine editor one day and maybe even start my own magazine
4 months ago
Thank you...I know now that I definitely want to be a magazine editor for like Blender or AP
4 months ago
I'm 14 turning 15 and already know I want to be a magazine editor. It just seems like such an exciting job and something I would look forward to do everyday. At first I wanted to be a journalist, but magazine editing seems more like me.
4 months ago
You just saved my life! yes, this is all i needed for my computer class. Thank you so much! ^_^
5 months ago
Being a magazine editor is my dream job! I'm going to be a junior in high school next year and have been spending more time concentrating on my career goals in this field and very excited to start my career. This site helped alot!! And makes me even more anxious!!
5 months ago
The information given is just right, not too much and not too little; ideal for my career project.
5 months ago
this gave me basically, everything I needed to know on my research project thank yuo for creating this it's really provided a reliable and informational source
5 months ago
this really helped me with my research project. i'm getting a intern job s00n!
5 months ago
I'm 16 years old and I'm currently a section editor for my high school yearbook. It's a lot of hard work and dedication but I love doing my job. I really want to become a magazine editor for layout deisgn or something and I'm looking for colleges. Do you know any good ones? Thanks :)
6 months ago
I think magazines are really cool and stuff. Like, i love looking at the advertisements! =))) <3 I REALLY wanan work for teen vogue!!!!!!!!!! But i'm only 9 years old!
6 months ago
yea i just needed this for a powerpoint in computer class....seriously...im 14...not exactly lookin for a job right now. just livin life with every passing moment. so all these 14 year olds who cant spell worth crap, really need to re-think this whole thing.
6 months ago
Hey, I am beginning the process of selecting colleges to apply for next year. I am currently in the midwest but am looking to attend a university with an extensive curriculum based upon journalism, broadcasting, advertising and/or editorial opportunities. If you happen to have any information in which may be helpful in making such decision a reply would be immensely appreciated. Thanks.
6 months ago
THANKS IM LIKE 11 AND I HAVE BEEN EXCEPTED INTO A MAGAZINE INTERN JOB :) YAY
6 months ago
Bueno pss yo no kiero ser magazine editor, ando viendo esto por k la maestra de yearbook nos iso k hisieramos un powerpoint en algo de journalism y pss yo escoji esto.. pero pa decirte la verdad ni se si esto sea de journalism... pero pss ni modo kon k pase la clase... bueno adios!!!
6 months ago
Hey There! So like I really want to be a magazine editor because I really love to wright! I hope i get in!
6 months ago
yeah, im 15 and i want to be an editor for a skate mag, like thrasher or transworld, just because i have a huge interest in skateboarding. i was wondering what the benefits or perks might be for something like that.
7 months ago
Being a magazine editor has always been a DREAM I wanted to pursue. Growing up in Philadelphia many young girls dreams are deferred but i hope to be a change and work 4 a really famous magazine. This site helped me get alot of information for my English project about my Dream career. Me,this girl writing this will be famous one day.
7 months ago
wow I didn't know there would be so many 14 year olds on here.like me. well tommorw i have to present this job to the WHOLE freshman class yea it sucks. BIG TIME!!
7 months ago
Amazing. You people really need to get a life. Seriously, like, a life you can actually lead. I want to be a maazine editor! It's not happening if you can't spell. You little kids are 13. When you're possible 16, 17, and 18 and you still want to be a magazine editor, then come back and say, "Hey, thanks for the article!" Until then, shut up. It's not anything like you'll see in the movies. NOTHING like you'll see in the movies.
7 months ago
the people on this site average 14years old. big dreams thow i want to be a mag editor but were i liv all the chics just end up as hairdressers lamo i want to aspire to be grate so good on every one hear who have such a dream wen there young enough to realy work for it im 16 i havent worked hard on my grades so i doubt i will evr make it i will try thow
7 months ago
Whoa! The majority of the people her want to be a "MAGAZINE EDITOR!!", but they cant even write.
7 months ago
Hello, thank you very much for this information. I don't plan on becoming the editor for seventeen or cosmogirl, I plan on making my own magazine bigger than those!! So this information was very very helpful! thanks again! :]
8 months ago
hi..i have always wanted to become a magazine editor and this site has really helped me with some info. thanks a bunch! <33
8 months ago
thanks you guys soooooo much for posting this information, because i would like to become a magazine eitor for "SEVENTEEN MAGAZINES," when i get older but now i'm 14! You are going to see my name everywhere in the magazine business cause I'm gone be so smooth and excellent for this fantastic dream job! But thanks again, because I really do appreciate this info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 months ago
thanks this really helped me with my paper
8 months ago
thank you for this information. I needed to understand the majors in college i needed to take in becoming a kick-ass magazine editor. lol
8 months ago
oh my gosh i have read the whol thing and i have wanted to be a maazine editior in ages! I'm only 11 but i can't wait till i pass my literature and journalism degree because i enjoy Englis so much and am desperate to be a magazine editor, thanks aot for the information, it means a lot.
8 months ago
thanks for all the useful information a lot of my questions have now been answered!
9 months ago
I am sooooooooooooo going to be a magazine editor...in NY! I plan on going to NYU...I want all the training and information I can get!!!! I've even put creating and publishing my own magazine into consideration!!!! Thank you sooooooooooo much for this article...
9 months ago
Hi i have always been interested in magazine editing but after high school i choose i different path of my creativeness and decided to go to cosmetology school. I was wondering is it at all possible to get a job such as editing without college education?
10 months ago
hello, i came by to see how this editorial for magazines work it interesting i would like to know more about this and what do i have to do to apply to a unniversity that will help me become and editor or in public relationships, i'll appreciate if i get an answer thanks!
about 1 year ago
Hello... I am going to college to take classes to become a magazine columnist. Then I read about it and they have to write lots of articles. I like writing, but I also love to design work. An editor tweakes them and works with the more art side right? If you have a site to recomend, please e-mail it to me. I need/want information on becoming an editor. Thank you for your time. :]
about 1 year ago
i am doing a project on becomeing a magazine editor if there is anymore info on mthis job post it on the web site. i really liked this web site it gane a lot of information i needed!
about 1 year ago
Hey, Im a senior in high school, and all four years I have been on my schools yearbook staff. I have been a regualr staffer, an advertising manager, a business manager, and now in my final year I am editor in chief! Im really interested in going into the magazine field, and hopefully one day go onto being an editor for a magazine. Im not big into writing articles, which is good because it says that editors dont usually write them. So my question is, is an english or journalism major the only choices I have to be able to major in if I want a good position on a magazine staff?
about 1 year ago
This website was a huge help in intoducing me the main details of becoming a magazine editor . I now look foward to becoming one.
about 1 year ago
Hey. i am 15 and i really want to know everything about becoming a magazine editor for example what subjects i need to be good at and if i need anything else to become one. If you have the time please email me telling me everything about becomming a magazine editor. Thank you for your time. Yours Sincerely, Ljubica
about 1 year ago
hi um..i was checking this site out cuz i really want to be one when i get older so i was just checking it out!My friends and I all want to work as a magazine editor when we get older and im deadly excited so ya!i wish i could right now but im only 11 so i dont no what i was thinking but you no im just a kid right!oh..and just to say im from ontario so i was kinda looking for something in ontario or close enough!anyway thanks for taking the time to read my e-mail and if you have a chase please e-mail me !thx<3