Editors
SOC code 27-3041 · O*NET-SOC 27-3041.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Editors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$77,920
a year
Hourly
$37.46
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$90,060
$43.30 per hour
Middle 50%
$57,300 – $106,100
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$41,250 – $153,700
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
91,690
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $41,250
- $19.83/hr
- 25th percentile
- $57,300
- $27.55/hr
- Median percentile
- $77,920
- $37.46/hr
- 75th percentile
- $106,100
- $51.01/hr
- 90th percentile
- $153,700
- $73.90/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+1%
Growing about as fast as average
115,800
jobs in 2024
116,500
projected for 2034
About 700 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an editor do?
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Write text, such as headlines, stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.
- Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
How to become an editor
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does an editor earn?
The national median is $77,920 a year. The full range runs from $41,250 at the 10th percentile to $153,700 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an editor without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is editor in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 1% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension5.0/5
- Writing4.4/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.8/5
- Communications and Media4.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Design3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Law and Government3.3/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.