Magazine Editors

Employment for all editors is expected to decline by 2 percent from 2023 through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Rising printing costs, and the popularity of mobile technology, have forced some magazines to reduce the number of issues printed or transition their print products to electronic-only publications. "Despite the growth in online media, decreases in traditional print magazine and newspaper readership will cause a decline in overall employment of editors," according to the DOL.

Despite these developments, magazine publishing remains a dynamic industry. Magazines (print and digital) reached 223.6 million Americans in 2023, according to the 2023 Market Report Q&A from the News/Media Alliance

The magazine industry will continue as it is a critical medium for advertisers. According to the research firm IBISWorld, global magazine publishing industry revenue totaled $106.1 billion in 2023. Magazine readership has remained relatively steady in recent years, but magazine publishers continue to struggle with adopting to new forms of media and coming up with strategies for digital monetization.

A recent trend in magazine publishing is focus on a special interest. There is increasing opportunity for employment at special interest, trade, and association magazines for those whose backgrounds complement a magazine's specialty. Internet publishing will also provide increasing job opportunities as more businesses develop online publications. Magazine editing is keenly competitive, however, and as with any career, the applicant with the most education and experience, as well as skill working with a variety of electronic and digital tools, has a better chance of landing a job.