Image that illustrates Publishing editor

Publishing editor

44 500 kr

Authors etc.

44 200 - 45 200 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Publishing editor

Average salary 44 500 kr
Males 45 100 kr
Females 44 200 kr
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What does a publishing editor do? – Tasks and work environment

A publishing editor works on editing and developing manuscripts for publication, often within book publishing houses but also in other publishing environments. Tasks include reading and assessing manuscripts, suggesting changes to authors, coordinating editorial work, and liaising with printers, designers, and marketing departments. The role also involves project management of the publication process, ensuring deadlines are met, and maintaining high linguistic and content quality. The work environment is typically office-based, often in open-plan offices or small teams, with some possibility for remote work depending on the employer and projects.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for publishing editors have shown steady growth. In 2022, the average salary was 40,000 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 42 100 SEK in 2023. The latest figure from 2024 shows a further increase to 44,500 SEK, representing a total salary increase of approximately 11.25% over the period. This positive trend can partly be explained by increased demand for qualified editorial skills in the publishing industry and a general appreciation of communication and project management skills. Market demands for digitalization and new publishing formats have also contributed to raising salary levels.

Publishing editor salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 44,500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 44,200 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 45,200 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 268 SEK
  • Women: 44,200 SEK (98% of men's salary)
  • Men: 45 100 SEK
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a publishing editor, a university degree in literature, linguistics, journalism, or related fields is usually required. Many employers also value experience in editorial work, strong language skills, and project management abilities. Internships in the publishing industry are common and can be crucial for establishing a career.

  • Bachelor's degree: Literature, linguistics, journalism, or similar (3 years)
  • Specialized courses: Publishing, editorial work
  • Internship: Strongly recommended in book publishing or similar fields
  • Prerequisites: Very good Swedish, editorial experience
  • Certifications: Rarely formal requirements, but courses in project management and digital publishing are advantageous

Many publishing editors have the opportunity to work closely with authors and follow manuscripts from initial idea to finished book, providing a unique insight into the entire publishing process. The role requires both creativity and a sharp eye for detail — and it is not uncommon for publishing editors to debut as authors themselves in the future.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Publishing editors are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pensions, wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and opportunities for remote work. Skill development, subsidized lunches, and insurance are also common parts of the employment package.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a publishing editor is high, especially at larger publishing houses where the number of applicants far exceeds the number of available positions. The industry is characterized by rapid changes, particularly due to digitalization and new publishing formats that require technical skills and adaptability. Increased demands for efficiency and project management mean editors often work under tight deadlines. Building a strong network within the publishing world and staying updated on industry trends are crucial for success and career development.

Tips for aspiring publishing editors

To succeed as a publishing editor, it is beneficial to combine meticulousness with a genuine passion for language and literature. Analytical skills are helpful for manuscript assessment, and giving constructive feedback to authors requires diplomacy and confidence. Gaining experience through internships or projects in the publishing field and demonstrating initiative by managing your own editorial projects is recommended. Being communicative and collaborative is important, especially when coordinating multiple parties. Staying updated on digital tools and new publishing formats will strengthen your attractiveness on the job market. Finally, persistence and patience increase your chances, as entering the industry can often be a long process.

Key facts about Publishing Editor

  • Educational level: Bachelor's degree in language, literature, or journalism
  • Work environment: Office-based, often in teams
  • Typical employment: Permanent, sometimes project-based
  • Demand: 620 job openings currently in the profession
  • Special skills: Editorial work, project management, digital publishing

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a publishing editor can advance to roles such as senior editor, project manager within publishing, or publisher. It is also common to move into related roles such as communication specialist, manuscript editor, or proofreader. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate continued stable demand within the profession, although the number of positions is limited and competition remains high. Digitalization and changing reading habits may create new opportunities, especially for editors with expertise in e-books and digital content.

Common questions about Publishing Editor

  • What does a publishing editor earn?
    - A publishing editor has an average salary of 44,500 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary for publishing editors?
    - Women earn an average of 44,200 SEK (98% of men's salary), while men earn 45 100 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a publishing editor?
    - Typically, a bachelor's degree in language, literature, journalism, or related fields is required.
  • What is the job market like for publishing editors?
    - Currently, there are 620 job openings in the profession, but competition is high.
  • What tasks does a publishing editor have?
    - Tasks include manuscript editing, project management, contact with authors, and coordinating the publishing process.
  • How has the salary for publishing editors developed over recent years?
    - Salaries have increased from 40,000 SEK (2022) to 44,500 SEK (2024), an increase of over 11%.
  • Are there any common benefits for publishing editors?
    - Yes, often offered benefits include occupational pension, wellness allowances, and flexible hours.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Publishing editor is 45200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 44500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Publishing editor is 44200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 44900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 37400 kr 37500 kr
35-44 43700 kr 43700 kr
45-54 47900 kr 48300 kr
55-64 48700 kr 48900 kr
Snitt 98% 44300 kr 44500 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Publishing editor has the SSYK code 2641, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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