Also called: Copy Chief, Sub-Editor
Fixes grammar, checks facts, writes headlines, and polishes stories before publication.
A copy editor reads dozens of stories a shift, catches errors, trims a story to fit, and writes a punchy headline in seconds.
Approximate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. English or journalism degree.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: English, Journalism.
Shrinking (about -4% over 10 years). Declining as newsrooms cut editing staff.
High risk for 10 years. AI now catches grammar, style and headline issues instantly, so copy desks keep shrinking.
Classes: English, Journalism, AP Language, Typing or office tech.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-3041.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.