What Do Technical Editors Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for technical editors?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what technical editors do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Technical Editors Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about technical editors by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Technical Editors plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
Popular Job Titles For Technical Editors
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Editors
- Copy Editors
- Managing Editors
- Technical Editors
- Editorial Assistants
- News Editors
- Content Editors
- Writers/Editors
- Assignment Editors
- Lead Assistant Editors
- Associate Editorial Directors
- Photo Editors
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for technical editors can be found.
Best Industries for Technical Editors
Technical Editors Jobs By Industry
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers: 39.2%
- Motion Picture and Video Industries: 10.3%
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers: 7.8%
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services: 5.4%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 3.8%
- Religious Organizations: 3.4%
- Other: 30.1%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of technical editors can be found working in the Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers sector. In 2022, about 39.2% of all jobs for technical editors were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Motion Picture and Video Industries (10.3%), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (7.8%), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5.4%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (3.8%) and Religious Organizations (3.4%).
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Degree Options for Technical Editors
Learn how to evaluate, support and integrate communications efforts to help move businesses in front of their competition, including executing strategic plans, developing print materials, and creating digital content in a variety of professional positions, such as PR specialist, copywriter and marketing coordinator.
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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
Stand out with a specialized master’s degree focused entirely on strategically integrating marketing and communication.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Technical Editors Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what technical editors do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work technical editors do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that technical editors tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for technical editors, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Technical Editors
Based on 33,769 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Technical Editors
Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Journalism | 10,694 | 32% |
Proofreading | 6,630 | 20% |
Marketing | 6,616 | 20% |
Copy Editing | 5,959 | 18% |
Social Media | 4,932 | 15% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Technical Editors
Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Editing | 20,492 | 61% |
Communications | 16,852 | 50% |
Writing | 15,865 | 47% |
Detail Oriented | 9,496 | 28% |
Research | 8,216 | 24% |
Based on 33,769 job postings related to technical editors, journalism was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 32% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for proofreading, marketing, copy editing, social media and search engine optimization were also highly sought.
As for common skills, editing was the most desired skill found in job postings for technical editors, followed by communications, writing, detail oriented, research and english language.
Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Journalism | 10,694 | 32% |
Proofreading | 6,630 | 20% |
Marketing | 6,616 | 20% |
Copy Editing | 5,959 | 18% |
Social Media | 4,932 | 15% |
Search Engine Optimization | 4,619 | 14% |
Project Management | 4,428 | 13% |
Content Creation | 4,118 | 12% |
Content Editing | 3,946 | 12% |
Workflow Management | 3,900 | 12% |
Style Guides | 3,346 | 10% |
Newsletters | 3,266 | 10% |
Adobe Photoshop | 2,809 | 8% |
AP Stylebook | 2,583 | 8% |
Punctuation And Capitalization | 2,549 | 8% |
Storytelling | 2,070 | 6% |
Analytics | 1,937 | 6% |
Digital Publishing | 1,804 | 5% |
Adobe InDesign | 1,660 | 5% |
Photography | 1,641 | 5% |
Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Editing | 20,492 | 61% |
Communications | 16,852 | 50% |
Writing | 15,865 | 47% |
Detail Oriented | 9,496 | 28% |
Research | 8,216 | 24% |
English Language | 8,127 | 24% |
Grammar | 6,392 | 19% |
Management | 5,581 | 17% |
Ability To Meet Deadlines | 5,092 | 15% |
Microsoft Office | 4,281 | 13% |
Planning | 4,264 | 13% |
Organizational Skills | 4,238 | 13% |
Leadership | 4,002 | 12% |
Self-Motivation | 3,813 | 11% |
Multitasking | 3,595 | 11% |
Time Management | 3,543 | 10% |
Microsoft Excel | 3,431 | 10% |
Problem Solving | 3,340 | 10% |
Sales | 3,236 | 10% |
Operations | 3,214 | 10% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Technical Editors
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Editors | 6,860 | 16.8% |
Copy Editors | 4,372 | 10.7% |
Managing Editors | 3,116 | 7.6% |
Technical Editors | 2,233 | 5.5% |
Editorial Assistants | 3,201 | 7.8% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was editors, with 2,277 unique job postings. Copy editors were second, with 1,192 postings, followed by managing editors, technical editors and editorial assistants.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to technical editors.
Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Editors | 6,860 | 16.8% |
Copy Editors | 4,372 | 10.7% |
Managing Editors | 3,116 | 7.6% |
Technical Editors | 2,233 | 5.5% |
Editorial Assistants | 3,201 | 7.8% |
News Editors | 2,035 | 5% |
Content Editors | 2,620 | 6.4% |
Writers/Editors | 2,966 | 7.3% |
Assignment Editors | 2,446 | 6% |
Lead Assistant Editors | 1,807 | 4.4% |
Associate Editorial Directors | 1,630 | 4% |
Photo Editors | 1,774 | 4.3% |
Digital Editors | 722 | 1.8% |
Medical Editors | 867 | 2.1% |
Production Editors | 715 | 1.8% |
Copywriters/Editors | 1,175 | 2.9% |
Editors-in-Chief | 716 | 1.8% |
Magazine Editors | 520 | 1.3% |
Sports Editors | 446 | 1.1% |
Acquisitions Editors | 561 | 1.4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for technical editors? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for technical editors.
How much do technical editors make?
Technical Editors: How do you become one?
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