How long does it take to become a Writer And Editor?

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a writer and editor. That is the time it takes to learn specific writer and editor skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 7 to 9 years years to become a writer and editor.

Are writers and editors the same?

No, writers and editors are not the same. Although they have similar educational backgrounds, skills, and kinds of experience, they have different focuses during the content creation process.

Can you be a writer and an editor?

Yes, you can be a writer and an editor as they both require similar skills, experience, and education. However, employers generally have those two roles as two different positions because they have different focuses.

Do writers need editors?

Yes, writers usually need editors. Although writers can serve as their own editor, they often seek an editor who can serve as another pair of eyes to double-check their written work. In general, a writer's responsibility is to create written materials to serve specific purposes (such as a press release requiring a formal style and look versus a blog post that can be more informal).

What is writing and editing?

Writing and editing are parts of a content creation process, typically produced for a specific purpose. In general, most people can write and edit, but the occupations of writer and editor mean that they are professionals that can create and revise works accordingly to match their company's marketing and promotional goals.

How To Become A Writer And Editor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a writer and editor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Cathy Irwin Ph.D.,

Gayle Rogers

When you think of a writer and editor, you might think those job titles are interchangeable. I mean after all, if you write something it's probably a good idea to edit it, too. That's just good sense. So really being a writer and editor isn't much different from being just a writer.

Now, what you'll be writing and editing will depend on what company you work for and what industry you decide to become a part of. Maybe you decide you're interested in the medical field or even science, there are writer and editor jobs for that. Or maybe you really like writing and editing articles about fashion.

The sky is the limit for a writer and editor. You'll be able to find a job, no problem, for whatever you're most passionate about. Not many people can say that about their careers so you should consider yourself lucky.

What general advice would you give to a Writer And Editor?

Cathy Irwin Ph.D.

Professor of English, University of La Verne

Because of the pandemic, entering the workforce has been hard for many. At the same time, many employers have moved online and are meeting with clients and customers through Zoom and other online platforms. As a result, employers now, more than ever, need employees who have excellent communication skills.

English majors from La Verne graduate with excellent writing and critical thinking skills. As a result, they do have opportunities after they graduate. Many of them are hired in jobs because of their writing and editing skills. A large percentage of students decide to go to graduate school. They want to serve their communities, so they become teachers, librarians, lawyers, and officers in non-profits or the city sector.

The medical field is also starting to welcome students from the humanities because they are looking for well-rounded, articulate, and compassionate people. If students with a humanities degree want to go into the health or medical sector, they can apply to one-year post-baccalaureate programs that lead to medical school.

ScoreWriter And EditorUS Average

Salary

4.8

Avg. Salary $61,482

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.7

Growth Rate -5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.27%

Asian 7.30%

Black or African American 3.60%

Hispanic or Latino 8.18%

Unknown 4.59%

White 76.07%

Gender

female 59.96%

male 40.04%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress Level

6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.3

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a writer and editor

Explore writer and editor education requirements

Most common writer and editor degrees

Bachelor's

76.7 %

Master's

12.4 %

Associate

6.3 %

Start to develop specific writer and editor skills

Skills	Percentages
Web Content	22.62%
Blog Posts	8.00%
Press Releases	7.67%
Writing Articles	2.95%
Feature Stories	2.93%

Complete relevant writer and editor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New writer and editors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a writer and editor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real writer and editor resumes.

Research writer and editor duties and responsibilities

Update website daily, manage Facebook/Twitter/ Instagram accounts.
Create articles featuring campus faculty and students, as well as lifestyle tips, and opinion editorials.
Work closely with magazine's editor-in-chief to hash out design ideas and content.
Gain 9k twitter followers in four months, and create a consistent fan base.

Prepare your writer and editor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your writer and editor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a writer and editor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Writer And Editor Resume templates

Build a professional Writer And Editor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Writer And Editor resume.

Apply for writer and editor jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a writer and editor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do writer and editors rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Writer And Editor reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Pros

I learned to read and write at an early age and have avidly pursued it since. Beside school publications and assignments, I've sought out numerous outlets for my love of writing, from features and sports writer for my local weekly news paper, to AP stringer for election coverage, to a Pohlad family internship at one of southeastern Minnesota's most respected dailies.

Cons

Unexpected deadlines, I guess, although it sometimes seems I do my sharpest writing in those pressured situations.

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019

Pros

Set your own schedule work from home. Determine your own salary. Dictate your hours. Choose the jobs you want.

Cons

Could be paid more. Slow to get started very competitive.

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019

Pros

Being an editor allowed me to give shape to a story or point of view that I otherwise would not have had any say in. I got to create a vision and put my mark on the work.

What is a writer and editor and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a Writer And Editor?

Writer And Editor career paths

Key steps to become a writer and editor

Explore writer and editor education requirements

Most common writer and editor degrees

Start to develop specific writer and editor skills

Complete relevant writer and editor training and internships

Research writer and editor duties and responsibilities

Prepare your writer and editor resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Writer And Editor Resume templates

Apply for writer and editor jobs

How Did You Land Your First Writer And Editor Job

Average writer and editor salary

How do writer and editors rate their job?

Writer And Editor reviews

Writer And Editor FAQs

How long does it take to become a Writer And Editor?

Are writers and editors the same?

Can you be a writer and an editor?

Do writers need editors?

What is writing and editing?

Search for writer and editor jobs

Writer And Editor jobs by state