Copy Editors: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of copy editors about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for copy editors to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of copy editors expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for copy editors.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Copy Editors?
Do copy editors need a degree? What kind of experience do copy editors typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for copy editors to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Copy Editors
Jobs Postings for Copy Editors By Education
- No Education Listed: 832 (47%)
- Bachelor's degree: 670 (38%)
- High School or GED: 163 (9%)
- Master's degree: 55 (3%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 34 (2%)
No education was listed by most employers of copy editors. According to job data, no education was required for 47% of positions. In 38% of job listings a bachelor's degree was required and in 9% of postings a High School diploma or GED was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Copy Editors
Jobs Postings for Copy Editors By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 173 (22%)
- 2-3 Years: 271 (35%)
- 4-6 Years: 233 (30%)
- 7-9 Years: 46 (6%)
- 10+ Years: 48 (6%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for copy editors. In 35% of job postings for Copy Editors, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 30% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 22% of job postings for copy editors.
What Kind of Degree Do Copy Editors Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for copy editors, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 3 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective copy editors, and in 2023 a total of 45,730 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective copy editors.
Top Degree Programs for Copy Editors
Top 5 Degree Programs for Copy Editors (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature, General. | 35,412 |
| Creative Writing. | 7,455 |
| Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing. | 2,863 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Copy Editors
Learn to craft clear and effective messages while adding new media communication methods to your professional toolkit.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
What Skills Do Copy Editors Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by copy editors to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for copy editors, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Copy Editors
Based on 1,689 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Copy Editors
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Proofreading | 1,206 | 71% |
| Marketing | 569 | 34% |
| Copywriting | 445 | 26% |
| Punctuation and Capitalization | 321 | 19% |
| Style Guides | 299 | 18% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Copy Editors
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | 729 | 43% |
| Writing | 729 | 43% |
| Communication | 681 | 40% |
| Detail Oriented | 656 | 39% |
| English Language | 568 | 34% |
Based on 1,689 job postings related to copy editors, proofreading was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 71% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for marketing, copywriting, punctuation and capitalization, style guides and journalism were also highly sought.
As for common skills, grammar was the most desired skill found in job postings for copy editors, followed by writing, communication, detail oriented, english language and editing.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Proofreading | 1,206 | 71% |
| Marketing | 569 | 34% |
| Copywriting | 445 | 26% |
| Punctuation and Capitalization | 321 | 19% |
| Style Guides | 299 | 18% |
| Journalism | 271 | 16% |
| Project Management | 189 | 11% |
| Content Creation | 186 | 11% |
| Advertisement | 183 | 11% |
| Copy Editing | 182 | 11% |
| Written Composition | 167 | 10% |
| Marketing Materials | 152 | 9% |
| Search Engine Optimization | 133 | 8% |
| AP Stylebook | 132 | 8% |
| Social Media | 120 | 7% |
| Fact Checking | 112 | 7% |
| Workflow Management | 108 | 6% |
| Brand Strategy | 104 | 6% |
| Syntax | 96 | 6% |
| Typography | 96 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | 729 | 43% |
| Writing | 729 | 43% |
| Communication | 681 | 40% |
| Detail Oriented | 656 | 39% |
| English Language | 568 | 34% |
| Editing | 427 | 25% |
| Microsoft Office | 302 | 18% |
| Research | 291 | 17% |
| Microsoft Excel | 229 | 14% |
| Customer Service | 216 | 13% |
| Microsoft Word | 199 | 12% |
| Organizational Skills | 198 | 12% |
| Leadership | 194 | 11% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 194 | 11% |
| Self-Motivation | 190 | 11% |
| Time Management | 188 | 11% |
| Presentations | 182 | 11% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 180 | 11% |
| Ability To Meet Deadlines | 172 | 10% |
| Prioritization | 172 | 10% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about copy editors? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for copy editors.
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