Editor salary in Columbia, SC
Editors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $67,530 a year ($32.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,750 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 9% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $62,000. There are 0.17 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $72,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| 25th percentile | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| Median | $67,530 | $32.46 |
| 75th percentile | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,750 | $57.09 |
| Average (mean) | $72,260 | $34.74 |
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 | $5,627.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,813.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,597.31 |
| Weekly | $1,298.65 |
| Hourly | $32.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $77,730 | 510 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $71,340 | 40 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $66,470 | 40 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,370 | 110 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $51,720 | 110 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| Technical Writer | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Photographer | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for editors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $67,530 a year, or $32.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of editors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $118,750 a year. The top 25% earn $78,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,650 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $53,830 or less.
How many editors work in Columbia, SC?
About 70 editors are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.