Editor salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Editors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $80,380 a year ($38.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,530 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 6% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $76,060. There are 0.56 editors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,980 | $20.66 |
| 25th percentile | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Median | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| 75th percentile | $99,080 | $47.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,530 | $57.47 |
| Average (mean) | $81,020 | $38.95 |
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 | $6,698.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,349.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,091.54 |
| Weekly | $1,545.77 |
| Hourly | $38.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $69,990 | 360 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $65,390 | 280 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $62,610 | 330 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $62,030 | 100 |
| Springfield, IL | $60,510 | 30 |
| Rockford, IL | $59,380 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,050 | 90 |
| Peoria, IL | $58,000 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $50,810 | 60 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $39,930 | 40 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $49,470 | $23.78 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for editors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $80,380 a year, or $38.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of editors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $119,530 a year. The top 25% earn $99,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,980 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $60,600 or less.
How many editors work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,520 editors are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.