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Editor Salary in the United States
How much does an Editor make in the United States?
$106,227 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$3,197 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$108,056.43
Entry Level
$75,323
Median
$104,859
Senior Level
$120,268
As of July, 08, 2026, the average editor gross salary in United States is $106,227 or an equivalent hourly rate of $51. In addition, editors earn an average bonus of $3,197. An entry level editor with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $75,323. At the higher end of the pay range, an senior level editor with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $120,268. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for an Editor
Explore the estimated salary growth for an Editor in the United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of an Editor will be $109,138 in 1 year and $121,602 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$112,129
Average Growth
5.6 %
The estimated salary for an Editor in 2 years is $112,129, which is 5.6 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Editor Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Editors.
- 0% of Editors have less than a High School Degree
- 10% of Editors have a High School Diploma
- 3% of Editors have an Associate's Degree
- 58% of Editors have a Bachelor's Degree
- 24% of Editors have a Master's Degree
- 4% of Editors have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for an Editor is Broadcast Journalism.
See how education can impact your salaryPopular Skills for an Editor
Edits content
91%
Reads copy
75%
Verifies facts
62%
Writes headlines
51%
Coordinates activities
40%
Assigns stories
36%
These are the most popular skills for Editors. About 91% of Editors have a skill in Edits content. The top 3 most popular skills for Editors are edits content, reads copy, and verifies facts.
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Where can an Editor earn more?
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Editor Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in the United States
Editor Jobs
View moreCost of Living in the United States
The cost of living in the United States is equal to the national average.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Editor do?
Formulates policy; plans, coordinates, and directs editorial activities; and supervises workers who assist in selecting and preparing material for publication in magazines, trade journals, house organs, and related publications. Determines theme of issue and gathers related material. Writes or assigns staff members or freelance writers to write articles, reports, editorials, reviews, and other material. Reads and evaluates material submitted for publication consideration. Secures graphic material from picture sources and assigns artists and photographers to produce pictures and illustrations. Assigns staff member, or personally interviews individuals and attends gatherings, to obtain items for publication, verify facts, and clarify information. Assigns research and other editorial duties to assistants. To carry out responsibilities at this level requires a four-year degree.
How much does an Editor make in the United States?
The average salary for an Editor is $106,227 per year or $51.07 per hour in the United States. Top earners have reported making up to $120,268. However, the typical pay range in the United States is between $75,323 and $120,268 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for an Editor?
Editor is projected to see a 14.5 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Editor salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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