Editor salary in California
Editors in California earn a median of $98,030 a year ($47.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,590 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $77,920. California ranks 2nd of 50 states for editors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.81 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $111,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| 25th percentile | $71,090 | $34.18 |
| Median | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| 75th percentile | $136,820 | $65.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,590 | $83.46 |
| Average (mean) | $111,810 | $53.75 |
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 | $8,169.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,084.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,770.38 |
| Weekly | $1,885.19 |
| Hourly | $47.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Editor salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $117,580 | 560 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,940 | 2,040 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,050 | 8,830 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $81,330 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,570 | 120 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $78,870 | 710 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $78,800 | 370 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $77,890 | 30 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $73,770 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $73,300 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $72,300 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $70,560 | 320 |
| Chico, CA | $67,390 | 30 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,680 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $62,490 | 60 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Writers and Authors | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $70,770 | $34.02 |
| Technical Writer | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $116,020 | $55.78 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for editors in California is $98,030 a year, or $47.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in California?
The top 10% of editors in California earn at least $173,590 a year. The top 25% earn $136,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,510 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $71,090 or less.
How many editors work in California?
About 14,830 editors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.