Editor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Editors Make?
Editors earn a median annual salary of $75,260 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,200 at the 10th percentile to $140,840 at the 90th percentile — a range of $104,640. The highest-paying state is New York at $98,620.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,200 |
| 25th percentile | $50,210 |
| Median (50th) | $75,260 |
| 75th percentile | $101,210 |
| 90th percentile | $140,840 |
Editor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $98,620 |
| Delaware | $91,700 |
| California | $90,570 |
| Washington | $85,250 |
| Connecticut | $81,910 |
| District of Columbia | $81,580 |
| Virginia | $79,080 |
| Massachusetts | $78,720 |
| West Virginia | $76,760 |
| Colorado | $75,660 |
| Oregon | $72,780 |
| Maryland | $72,500 |
| Illinois | $68,050 |
| Georgia | $66,880 |
| New Hampshire | $65,920 |
| Rhode Island | $64,740 |
| Florida | $64,380 |
| North Carolina | $64,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,790 |
| Nevada | $62,910 |
| Vermont | $62,710 |
| Michigan | $62,140 |
| Arizona | $61,530 |
| Ohio | $61,330 |
| New Mexico | $61,250 |
| Utah | $59,860 |
| Wisconsin | $58,940 |
| Missouri | $58,740 |
| Iowa | $58,570 |
| South Carolina | $58,210 |
| Hawaii | $58,000 |
| Kentucky | $57,410 |
| South Dakota | $57,260 |
| North Dakota | $56,660 |
| Alaska | $55,370 |
| Kansas | $54,480 |
| Minnesota | $53,900 |
| Indiana | $51,550 |
| Tennessee | $51,060 |
| Mississippi | $49,510 |
| Louisiana | $48,880 |
| Maine | $47,750 |
| Idaho | $46,880 |
| Oklahoma | $45,560 |
| Montana | $45,470 |
| Alabama | $44,990 |
| Arkansas | $44,690 |
| Wyoming | $43,280 |
| Nebraska | $40,100 |
| Texas | $28,860 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Editors
Editor Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$36,200 – $50,210 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$75,260 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$101,210 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $140,840+ |
How to Earn More as an Editor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Editors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $99,720 — $24,460 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($101,210) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Editor Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Editorthis career | $75,260 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
| Web Administrator | $108,970 |
| Document Management Specialist | $108,970 |
| Library Science Teacher | $78,630 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 27-3041.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.