Editor Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
An editor takes writing from rough to ready. They copyedit for grammar and clarity, check facts and style, and push back on a piece's structure and argument when it doesn't yet serve the reader. Editors work on articles, marketing copy, documentation, books or scripts depending on the shop.
The job splits between line-level editing and running the process around it: tracking deadlines, briefing writers, and keeping a style guide consistent across contributors. Strong editors read fast, write clear feedback, and know when a piece needs a small fix versus a rewrite.
Editor job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Editor
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring an editor to shape [content type] before it reaches [readers / customers]. You'll edit for clarity and style, keep our voice consistent across writers, and help pieces hit deadline without losing quality.
What you'll do
- Copyedit drafts for grammar, clarity, structure and tone against our style guide.
- Give writers specific, constructive feedback and coach them toward our standards.
- Fact-check claims, statistics and sources before publication.
- Plan and track the editorial calendar so pieces ship on schedule.
- Write and update headlines, decks and metadata for readability and search.
- Maintain and evolve the style guide as our voice and topics change.
- Coordinate with [design / SEO / legal] on images, optimization and sensitive topics.
- Review final layouts or proofs before publishing.
What you'll bring
- [X]+ years editing [articles / marketing copy / technical content].
- Excellent command of grammar, style and structure in US English.
- Experience giving feedback that improves a draft without rewriting it yourself.
- Comfort with a CMS and standard style guides (AP, Chicago or a house guide).
- Judgment about what to fix, what to flag and what to let go.
- Reliable under deadline pressure across multiple pieces at once.
Nice to have
- SEO basics: keywords, headlines and meta descriptions.
- Experience managing a team of freelance or staff writers.
- Knowledge of [domain, e.g. finance, health or technology] content.
- Basic photo or layout skills for simple visual edits.
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Flexible or remote schedule, professional development budget, subscriptions to industry publications]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: a recruiter call, an editing test on a sample draft, a conversation about your editing philosophy and feedback style, and a meeting with the content team.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Editor duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Copyedits straightforward pieces under a senior editor's review.
- Learns the style guide and applies it consistently.
- Tracks a small slice of the editorial calendar.
Mid-level
- Owns editing for a section or content type end to end.
- Gives structural feedback on drafts, not just line edits.
- Briefs writers and manages a handful of freelancers.
Senior
- Sets editorial standards and owns the style guide.
- Plans content strategy with marketing or product leadership.
- Mentors editors and writers, and makes the final call on contested edits.
Editor career path
- Assistant Editor
- Editor
- Senior Editor
- Managing Editor or Editor-in-Chief
Editors usually start as writers or assistant editors, often with a journalism, English or communications background, then move into editing full time as their judgment on structure and voice develops. From there, paths lead to managing editor, content strategy or editorial leadership roles.
Similar roles
- Content Writer job description
Writes the drafts an editor shapes and refines.
- Copywriter job description
Focuses on persuasive, short-form marketing copy rather than long-form editing.
- Technical Writer job description
Edits and writes documentation rather than articles or marketing content.
- Content Marketing Manager job description
Owns content strategy and distribution, not just the editing.
Editor job description FAQ
What does an editor do?
Edits drafts for grammar, clarity, structure and style, fact-checks claims, and manages the editorial calendar so content ships on time. Editors also coach writers and keep a consistent voice across contributors.
What skills should an editor job description require?
Strong command of grammar and style, experience giving actionable feedback, comfort with a CMS and a style guide, and the judgment to know what needs a fix versus a rewrite. SEO and team management are common nice-to-haves.
Is editor an entry-level job?
Rarely as a first job. Most editors start as writers or assistant editors and move into editing once their feedback and judgment are trusted. State the writing or editing experience you expect so applicants can self-select.