JOB REPORT / 27-3041 · 21 TASKS

Editors.

Can AI do the work of Editors?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

Drag the dot. There’s no wrong answer; it starts at our estimate.

Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors…
Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources
Write text

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Editors work. It covers the 20 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

20 of 21 tasks reviewed

This job has 21 core tasks. We went through 20 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Editors actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
AI DOES
Flags spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors instantly across long documents
YOU DO
Judge whether a 'correction' fits the author's voice and intended meaning
TASK 02
Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
AI DOES
Cross-checks facts, dates, and numbers against a wide base of knowledge instantly
YOU DO
Confirm sources are authoritative, current, and trustworthy before publishing
TASK 03
Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
AI DOES
Generates first drafts, suggests phrasing, and fills in background details
YOU DO
Shape the voice, judge what the audience needs, and decide what story is worth telling
TASK 04
Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
AI DOES
Flags grammar errors, checks style consistency, summarizes sections, and suggests rewrites
YOU DO
Trust your judgment on what makes writing truly compelling and guide authors with care
TASK 05
Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
AI DOES
Drafts content outlines, suggests topic ideas, and checks alignment with past publication patterns
YOU DO
Apply deep knowledge of audience, editorial values, and what stories truly matter right now
TASK 06
Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
AI DOES
Drafts schedules, flags budget overruns, suggests layout options, and proofreads copy
YOU DO
Build vendor relationships and make final calls on quality, timing, and creative trade-offs
TASK 07
Monitor news-gathering operations to ensure utilization of all news sources, such as press releases, telephone contacts, radio, television, wire services, and other reporters.
AI DOES
Scans wire services, press releases, and feeds to surface new items and flag gaps
YOU DO
Decide what stories matter most and direct reporters based on news judgment
TASK 08
Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value.
AI DOES
Sorts, tags, and flags wire stories by topic, region, and trending signals
YOU DO
Judge what your specific audience cares about right now
TASK 09
Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage.
AI DOES
Suggests story assignments based on writer history, trending topics, and coverage gaps
YOU DO
Weigh each reporter's bandwidth, relationships, and editorial vision before deciding
TASK 10
Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments.
AI DOES
Drafts policy documents, summarizes department reports, and flags trends in audience data
YOU DO
Build newsroom culture, make tough editorial calls, and earn trust from staff and readers
TASK 11
Arrange for copyright permissions.
AI DOES
Drafts permission request letters, identifies rights holders, and tracks permission status in a spreadsheet
YOU DO
Negotiate terms, follow up with real people, and make judgment calls on fair use
TASK 12
Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
AI DOES
Tracks deadlines, summarizes story status, and drafts team updates
YOU DO
Build trust, read team dynamics, and make final editorial calls
TASK 13
Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers.
AI DOES
Drafts job postings, screens writing samples, and suggests contract terms or pay ranges
YOU DO
Read the room in interviews and build trust during negotiations
TASK 14SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location.
AI DOES
Scans text and suggests index entries with locations
YOU DO
Decide what readers actually need to find
About this analysis
56% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 15SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.
AI DOES
Generates layout options based on content and space rules
YOU DO
Judge visual impact and story priorities
About this analysis
55% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 16
Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.
AI DOES
Summarizes story performance data, flags trending topics, and drafts agenda points for editorial meetings
YOU DO
Bring editorial instinct and read the room in real discussions with your team
TASK 17SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.
AI DOES
Analyzes manuscripts for technical quality and formatting
YOU DO
Judge literary merit and market fit
About this analysis
38% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
AI DOES
Suggests story angles and trending topics
YOU DO
Judge what resonates with your audience
About this analysis
35% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
AI DOES
Rewrites drafts and suggests clearer phrasing
YOU DO
Judge tone, voice, and audience fit
About this analysis
35% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.
AI DOES
Flags layout errors and checks text formatting
YOU DO
Judge final quality and approve for print
About this analysis
25% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

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Use your judgment.

There are 20 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Editors
SOC code: 27-3041
Tasks reviewed: 20 of 21

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $77,920 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $77,870 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 91,690
Employed in Colorado: 1,830
Job outlook: +0.6% by 2034 · ~9,800 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.

Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.

Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.

Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.

Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.

Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.

Monitor news-gathering operations to ensure utilization of all news sources, such as press releases, telephone contacts, radio, television, wire services, and other reporters.

Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value.

Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage.

Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments.

Arrange for copyright permissions.

Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.

Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers.

Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location.

Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.

Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.

Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.

Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.

Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.

Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.