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Press sub-editor : Salary and conditions

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Case studies

  • Journalists do not enter the profession for money. Starting salaries for sub-editors range from £17,000 to £20,000 on a local paper or small magazine and £20,000 to £23,000 for a larger regional or national paper. Salaries can, however, be lower than this, simply because journalism is such a popular field and this can drive entry pay down.
  • Salaries for experienced or more senior sub-editors can range from £25,000 to £50,000, again depending on the publication concerned. A production editor or chief sub-editor for a national newspaper could earn £60,000.
  • Sub-editors need to be flexible - working late to meet deadlines is a necessary part of the job. Working for national dailies may involve unsocial hours and some early or late shifts, with hours varying according to workload. Depending on whether you are working for a daily, weekly or monthly title, work cycles build up to a frenetic peak just before the paper is due to go to print.
  • The work is desk-based, but can include visits to meetings, launches and other events.
  • On smaller publications there is a fair degree of flexibility and variety of work, as fewer people have to cover the full range of responsibilities. Narrower, more specialised roles such as features sub-editor or news sub-editor are likely with a larger paper or magazine. However, many sub-editors find that work activities are quite fluid and there are opportunities to become involved in writing, design and production.
  • The work environment can be competitive and stressful, with high levels of pressure as deadlines approach. Despite this, job satisfaction is often high because results of your work are readily visible.
  • Freelance work is an option for sub-editors with some experience. This can offer increased flexibility, broader experience and the chance to earn a higher salary.
  • Sub-editing can offer a route into other areas of journalism and publishing, though it is more often something people move into after gaining experience as a reporter.
  • Travel within a working day is occasional. Overseas work or travel is uncommon.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
May 2011
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