Editors

Editors score 65 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #70 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 21 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 7 on its own and 13 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 10 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

65/ 100

High

Rank: #70of 923 jobs
US workers: 91,690BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $77,920a year
In real AI use: 10 of 21tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 7 (33%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 13 (62%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 1 (5%)

Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
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 can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
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 can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Arrange for copyright permissions.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Meet frequently with artists, typesetters, layout personnel, marketing directors, and production managers to discuss projects and resolve problems.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about editors and AI

Will AI replace editors?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Editors score 65 out of 100 (high exposure), #70 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 20 of the job's 21 tasks, 7 of them on its own, while 1 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which editors tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax"; "Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication"; "Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal".

Which editors tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Meet frequently with artists, typesetters, layout personnel, marketing directors, and production managers to discuss projects and resolve problems".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 10 of the 21 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as editors, and what do they earn?

About 91,690 people in the US, with median pay of $77,920 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.