Editor salary in Birmingham, AL
Editors in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $72,650 a year ($34.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,480 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 15% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $63,330. There are 0.44 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $79,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,570 | $19.51 |
| 25th percentile | $53,010 | $25.49 |
| Median | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| 75th percentile | $94,750 | $45.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,480 | $64.17 |
| Average (mean) | $79,170 | $38.06 |
Half of editors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,054.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,027.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,794.23 |
| Weekly | $1,397.12 |
| Hourly | $34.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Editor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | $75,520 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for editors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $101,480 |
| California | $98,030 |
| Connecticut | $85,950 |
| District of Columbia | $83,920 |
| Massachusetts | $83,170 |
| New Jersey | $81,680 |
| Virginia | $80,590 |
| Rhode Island | $77,960 |
| Colorado | $77,870 |
| Washington | $77,850 |
See Editor pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Writers and Authors | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Technical Writer | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,140 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| Interior Designer | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Photographer | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $23.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a editor make in Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for editors in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $72,650 a year, or $34.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of editors in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $133,480 a year. The top 25% earn $94,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,570 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $53,010 or less.
How many editors work in Birmingham, AL?
About 230 editors are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.