Assistant editor (and closely related associate editor) roles sit above editorial assistant on the NYC trade and academic editing ladder. The work usually mixes manuscript development, agent correspondence, schedule ownership, and — increasingly — acquiring or co-acquiring titles rather than only supporting a senior editor’s list.

Employers look for prior editorial assistant or internship experience, strong editorial judgment, and familiarity with production and house style. Titles and exact seniority vary by house; some imprints use “assistant editor” and “associate editor” interchangeably.

Compare pay on associate editor salaries and book editor salaries. For the step before this role, see editorial assistant jobs, or browse all editorial jobs.