jobfacts

Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors

SOC 2020 2491

Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors evaluate, manage and oversee the editorial direction for the style and content of features and stories for broadcasting and for newspapers, magazines, news websites and periodicals.

Also calledNewspaper or magazine editorCopy editorSub-editorArt editorEditorCommissioning editorand 21 more titles
Typical full-time pay£42,5002025 Provisional
People in the job43,000across the UK
Demand for workersElevated
New adverts a month116↓ 19%on last year · 385th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025
What full-time newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors earn, 2025
£42,500 typical£28,000lowest 10%£35,70025%n/ptop 10%
n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£28,000
Lowest 20% earn less than£33,600
25%£35,700
Median£42,500
75%Not published
Top 20% earn more thanNot published
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Many (29%) of newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors work for themselves. These pay figures only cover employees, so they may not reflect what self-employed newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors earn.
Typical pay by regionUK median £42,500
London!£52,500
West Midlands!£43,100
North West!£43,100
South East!£38,800
South West!£38,200
East of England!£36,400
Scotland!£35,800
North EastNot published by ONS–
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS–
East MidlandsNot published by ONS–
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £42,500
London£52,500 (small sample)
West Midlands£43,100 (small sample)
North West£43,100 (small sample)
South East£38,800 (small sample)
South West£38,200 (small sample)
East of England£36,400 (small sample)
Scotland£35,800 (small sample)
North EastNot published by ONS
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS
East MidlandsNot published by ONS
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £42,500
  • 2024 £39,600
  • 2025 Provisional£42,500
↓ 0.1% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 116 jobs for newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as elevated.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (2 in all)
Show as table
Aug 2026Not published
Jul 2026117
Jun 2026125
May 2026112
Apr 202687
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 202685
Jan 2026130
Dec 202575
Nov 2025157
Oct 2025152
Sept 2025116
Aug 2025136
Jul 2025190
Jun 2025166
May 2025230
Apr 2025149
Mar 2025187
Feb 2025134
Jan 2025129
Dec 202467
Nov 2024105
Oct 2024124
Sept 2024131
Aug 2024136
Jul 2024156
Jun 2024155
May 2024170
Apr 2024189
Mar 2024181
Feb 2024226
Jan 2024227
Dec 2023166
Nov 2023154
Oct 2023160
Sept 2023158
Aug 2023242
Jul 2023198
Jun 2023290
May 2023323
Apr 2023274
Mar 2023276
Feb 2023314
Jan 2023345
Dec 2022352
Nov 2022320
Oct 2022386
Sept 2022332
Aug 2022358
Jul 2022420
Jun 2022377
May 2022485
Apr 2022343
Mar 2022391
Feb 2022428
Jan 2022545
Dec 2021343
Nov 2021412
Oct 2021406
Sept 2021420
Aug 2021380
Jul 2021403
Jun 2021332
May 2021323
Apr 2021214
Mar 2021404
Feb 2021215
Jan 2021245
Dec 2020180
Nov 2020183
Oct 2020234
Sept 2020219
Aug 2020218
Jul 2020224
Jun 2020187
May 2020183
Apr 2020248
Mar 2020461
Feb 2020459
Jan 2020443
Dec 2019307
Nov 2019399
Oct 2019357
Sept 2019374
Aug 2019438
Jul 2019459
Jun 2019414
May 2019397
Apr 2019311
Mar 2019343
Feb 2019355
Jan 2019402
Dec 2018267
Nov 2018308
Oct 2018377
Sept 2018324
Aug 2018382
Jul 2018400
Jun 2018426
May 2018413
Apr 2018409
Mar 2018477
Feb 2018490
Jan 2018447
Dec 2017319
Nov 2017369
Oct 2017326
Sept 2017371
Aug 2017389
Jul 2017311
Jun 2017389
May 2017386
Apr 2017410
Mar 2017410
Feb 2017378
Jan 2017472
Is there a shortage of newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors?
Elevated

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was not high.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsUsual
  • Wage growthWell above usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedUsual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
28%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for business, media and public service professionals, which includes newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London214
Manchester12
Oxford7
Bristol, City of6
Cambridge6
Birmingham5
Glasgow City5
City of Edinburgh5
Bath and North East Somerset4
Maidstone4
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 49 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from United States, India, China, ranking it 137th of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors
n/p
22%!
31%!
26%!
17%!
n/p
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publish
Show as table
16–24Not published
25–3422% (small sample)
35–4431% (small sample)
45–5426% (small sample)
55–6417% (small sample)
65+Not published
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent79%
Higher education below degree!7.5%
A levels or equivalent!13%
GCSEs or equivalent!3.2%
Other qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent79%
Higher education below degree7.5% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent13% (small sample)
GCSEs or equivalent3.2% (small sample)
Other qualificationsNot published

Main employers: publishing of journals and periodicals (28%), publishing of newspapers (13%), motion picture, video and television programme production activities (12%), media representation (9.6%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
79%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
None
none leads directly into this work
Self-employed
29%
of people in the job

Routes in

Newspaper or magazine editor

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a degree in a subject like:

  • English
  • journalism
  • media studies
  • publishing

You can do a postgraduate qualification in publishing or journalism if your first degree is not related to the industry.

If you want to work for a specialist publication, such as a medical or scientific journal, you'll usually need:

  • a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject
  • an excellent understanding of the field
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could start as an editorial assistant, copy editor or journalist with a regional newspaper or magazine and work your way up through training and promotion.

Volunteering

You'll need to get some experience before applying for your first job. To build up your experience you could:

  • volunteer to work on student and community newspapers
  • keep an online blog
  • maintain an online presence on social media channels
  • submit articles and reviews to newspapers, magazines or websites

These are good ways to develop industry contacts, as many jobs are not advertised. They are also useful for creating a portfolio of work to show employers what you can do.

Other routes

You could take an editing or proofreading course to develop your skills, which may help when looking for work.

Courses are offered by:

  • the National Council for the Training of Journalists
  • the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading
  • The Publishing Training Centre

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Employers will expect you to have an excellent grasp of English language, grammar, punctuation and proofreading, alongside knowledge of publishing regulations like copyright and licensing.

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to join organisations like the Society of Editors and Professional Publishers Association for industry recognition, training opportunities and to make contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a newspaper or magazine editor from the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for newspaper or magazine editor. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Copy editor

You can get into this job through:

University

You can take a degree course to become a copy editor. Most subjects are accepted.

You might improve your chances of finding work if you have a degree in a related subject, like:

  • publishing
  • communication and media
  • English
  • creative writing
  • journalism

You can find journalism courses through the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

You may need subject matter expertise or a specific degree to work in specialist publications, like scientific, medical or technical journals.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More about this route
Work experience at university

You'll find it useful to get work experience during your studies. Some publishers offer work shadowing, work placements or internship opportunities.

Your university careers service can help you explore your options.

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Publishing Professional Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship to get into this role.

This typically takes around 2 years to complete and is a mix of workplace training and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Volunteering

Having some work experience can be helpful when applying for jobs in publishing. To build up your experience, you can:

  • produce articles for a student magazine or local free newspaper
  • work for a charity on its printed and online publications
  • write content for a blog or audio recording
  • submit articles to regional newspapers or websites

Volunteering is a good way to get to know people who work in the industry. This can help as many job vacancies are not advertised.

You can also search for volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could start as an editorial assistant with a publishing company to get experience of editing and proofreading.

This type of role would also allow you to create a portfolio of your work which you can show to potential employers.

Other routes

You could take a proofreading or editing course with a professional body, like those offered by:

  • The Publishing Training Centre
  • the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
  • the National Council for the Training of Journalists

Some publishing houses run graduate training schemes and internships.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

If you want to work as a copy editor or sub-editor in journalism, the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) has advice on bursaries and funding to encourage greater diversity in the industry.

Further information

You can get more details about working in editing and publishing from the Publishers Association and the Professional Publishers Association.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for copy editor. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Art editor

You can get into this job through:

University

It may help to have a higher national diploma (HND), foundation degree or degree in a subject such as:

  • graphic design
  • illustration
  • fine art
  • photography
  • publishing
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a foundation diploma in art and design
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More about this route
Work experience at university

Your creative skills will be as important to employers as your degree. It's important to get work experience and build a portfolio to show what you can do.

Your university careers service can help you find relevant work experience, internship and year placement opportunities.

College

You could apply for a job as an assistant editor after completing a creative or media related course at college.

Relevant subjects include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Photography
  • Level 3 National Diploma in Art and Design
Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could get into this job by joining a magazine as a graphic designer or picture editor.

You could then move on to become deputy art editor then editor.

Volunteering

You should get yourself known and build up your contacts in the industry to help find paid work.

To do this you could:

  • create a blog or build your online 'brand' through social media
  • build a website to showcase your work
  • find design opportunities with charities or student organisations
  • follow magazines on social media to find out about events, work experience and jobs
Apply directly

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got the right skills and experience. For specialist magazines, you may have an advantage if you have a special interest or background in the subject.

For example, an interest in science or architecture will be useful if you want to work on magazines covering those topics.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

It's useful to get experience of print and digital work. Showing you can use up to date desktop publishing and computer graphics software will make your application stand out.

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to join the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for art editor. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • commissions articles and selects material for broadcast or publication
  • checks style, grammar, accuracy and legality of content and arranges for any necessary revisions
  • decides on lay out of material in news websites, newspapers, magazines, or periodicals
  • liaises with production staff in checking final proof copies immediately prior to printing

Skills

  • apply grammar and spelling rules
  • build contacts to maintain news flow
  • consult information sources
  • develop professional network
  • evaluate writings in response to feedback
  • follow ethical code of conduct of journalists
  • follow the news
  • interview people
  • participate in editorial meetings
  • stay up to date with social media
  • study topics
  • use specific writing techniques
  • write to a deadline
  • adapt to changing situations

Knowledge

  • copyright legislation
  • editorial standards
  • grammar
  • interview techniques
  • spelling
  • writing techniques
  • art history
  • audio editing software

Suits people who like

  • Creating and designing
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for business, media and public service professionals, a group of 32 jobs that includes newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 26%about 670,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 20352.1 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

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