The perceived marketability of STM journal editors is crucial for the high-quality development of scientific and technology journals, and it plays a significant role in enhancing China’s scientific competitiveness and cultural soft power. Based on the Conservation of Resources Theory, this study utilizes questionnaire surveys and statistical analysis to investigate the current status of perceived marketability among STM journal editors, and to determine whether significant differences exist across individual characteristics (including gender, age, professional title, educational level, years of editorial experience, and position category) and journal-related features (including the nature of supervising organization, publication category, development model, and publishing frequency). Through in-depth interviews, it further analyzes the underlying factors contributing to significant differences in STM journal editors’ perceived marketability across individual characteristics and journal characteristics. The results show that the perceived marketability of STM journal editors is not adequately competitive, with an average score of 3.6905 (out of 5). Notably, the internal perceived marketability 3.7841 (out of 5) outweighs the external perceived marketability 3.5970 (out of 5). As for individual characteristics, significant differences were observed in the perceived marketability of STM journal editors in terms of age, professional title, years of editorial experience, and educational level. For journal features, both the internal and external perceived marketability of STM journal editors vary significantly in terms of different natures of supervising organizations of the STM journals, publication category, and publishing frequency. Through interviews with twelve STM journal editors, this study deeply analyzes the causes for the significant differences in both the internal and external perceived marketability of individual characteristics and journal features, thereby providing management suggestions for supervising organizations of STM journals. First, more attention should be paid to the impact of individual characteristics on the perceived marketability of STM journal editors. For example, for the group of STM journal editors aged 40 to 50 with 11 to 20 years or more editorial experience, it is important to focus on and provide necessary support and assistance in a timely manner. Efforts should also be made to stimulate the potential of deputy editors and reviewers (other series of deputy executives) to actively engage in career development and to enhance their perceived marketability. Academic qualifications should be respected, and the value of STM journal editors holding master's and doctoral degrees should be recognized. Second, tailored approaches should be adopted to improve editors’ perceived marketability based on journal characteristics. For instance, STM journals supervising by research institutes or universities can enhance their perceived marketability by encouraging editors to adopt a career self-management approach. The single issue development model of STM journals can enhance the perceived marketability of editors by providing diversified development opportunities and expanding their daily work content. Finally, increasing publishing frequency and accelerating publication speed process can also contribute to stronger perceived marketability of STM journal editors.