Where a copy editor can go next
5 destinations recorded, ranked by how much of the target role a copy editor already meets. The closer to the top of Table 1, the less there is to learn.
Copy editors ascertain that a text is agreeable to read. They ensure that a text adheres to the conventions of grammar and spelling. Copy editors read and revise materials for books, journals, magazines and other media.
Also known as editorial assistant, language editor, senior copy editor, copy-editor.
Professionals 28 skills on file 5 career moves 1 above 60% overlap Closest: proofreader, 81%
- 70% and above · short step
- 50 to 70% · real move
- Below 50% · substantial retraining
Table 1 · Within reach
Table 2 · A bigger jump
Possible, but expect real retraining rather than a sideways step.
Table 3 · What the job itself asks for
A copy editor needs 13 required skills and areas of knowledge. These 10 are the ones fewest other jobs share, so they say the most about the work.
- suggest revision of manuscripts communication, collaboration and creativity
- track changes in text editing communication, collaboration and creativity
- typography arts and humanities
- use dictionaries information skills
- digital journalism social sciences, journalism and information
- consult with editor communication, collaboration and creativity
- writing techniques arts and humanities
- follow a brief communication, collaboration and creativity
- spelling arts and humanities
- grammar arts and humanities
Table 4 · Jobs that lead here
The reverse view: occupations whose skills already cover much of what a copy editor does. The figure is how much of this job each one brings.
- proofreader 68% covered · difficulty 32.2
- journalist 56% covered · difficulty 42.5
- desktop publisher 52% covered · difficulty 47.7
- book editor 46% covered · difficulty 51.3
- lexicographer 40% covered · difficulty 57.1
- book publisher 39% covered · difficulty 58
- writer 39% covered · difficulty 58.4
- translator 35% covered · difficulty 61.2
- advertising copywriter 28% covered · difficulty 67
- script writer 28% covered · difficulty 67
Look up another occupation
Copy editor is filed under Professionals, ISCO major group 2. The full index lists all ten groups.
How these figures were compiled
Overlap is how much of the target role is already part of a copy editor’s work. It is directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. Every entry above opens the full comparison for that move: what carries over, what is missing, and where to start. The full method.