How much does an Editor make?

The average salary for an Editor is $72,463 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 11072 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Editor employees in United States.

The highest salary for an Editor in United States is $97,022 per year.

The lowest salary for an Editor in United States is $54,347 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Editor or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Editor.

Editors typically earn comfortable pay, while honing their craft and retaining the opportunity to take on freelance work after-hours. Editors who work for professional, scientific or technical publications often earn more than editors who work for newspapers or book publishers. Some editors also earn royalties off book sales. The small subset of editors who discover and assist with the refining of an successful manuscript have high earning potential.

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Editors ranked their salary satisfaction on Glassdoor, and about 63% of them feel good about what they earn. In addition to annual salary, editors have the potential to earn an additional $4,130.32 in extra income every year through bonuses, freelancing, profit sharing, and contract work.

Editors can use the flexibility of the role to their advantage and try remote, contract, or part-time positions to boost their earnings potential. The more professional experience and the higher quality the portfolio, the higher salary you can earn in the editor career path. In general, however, professionals have a pay range between $42,023.05 and $125,871.72, with average pay sitting at $72,453.52.

Editors can score higher salaries by obtaining a master's degree in English or a related field. While a bachelor's degree is generally required for any entry-level position, earning an advanced degree could bolster your earning potential significantly. Since positions are competitive and editor careers are impacted by portfolio quality, continuously update yours to showcase your most impressive work. Since editing is a flexible position, you can always develop your portfolio through a series of smaller assignments gained through remote, contract, volunteer, or part-time positions. These types of roles are also helpful in gaining professional experience and skills; the more, the better, so embrace those opportunities and build a solid resume.

With a strong portfolio in hand, you're well prepared for the negotiating table. Use it as a marketing tool to highlight your best work, and explore the stories behind each piece. If you spent extra hours nailing down a specific piece or worked closely with the writer, for instance, share that insight. Anything that sets you apart helps determine your value and could earn you a higher salary in your editor job. If you're bargaining in an established position, ask for a raise in the 15% range. If you're a contract or freelance worker, ask for a 15% or more increase using your portfolio to back up why this is justified.