Editor salary in District of Columbia
Editors in District of Columbia earn a median of $83,920 a year ($40.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,460 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $77,920. District of Columbia ranks 4th of 50 states for editors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 4.7 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $109,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| 25th percentile | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Median | $83,920 | $40.35 |
| 75th percentile | $130,360 | $62.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,460 | $81.95 |
| Average (mean) | $109,290 | $52.54 |
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 | $6,993.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,496.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,227.69 |
| Weekly | $1,613.85 |
| Hourly | $40.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Editor salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $84,800 | 5,470 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,740 | $49.40 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Writers and Authors | $129,300 | $62.16 |
| Technical Writer | $117,810 | $56.64 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Producers and Directors | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Graphic Designer | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $65,360 | — |
| Interior Designer | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| Film and Video Editors | $98,830 | $47.51 |
| Broadcast Technician | $108,270 | $52.05 |
| Photographer | $110,970 | $53.35 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for editors in District of Columbia is $83,920 a year, or $40.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of editors in District of Columbia earn at least $170,460 a year. The top 25% earn $130,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,440 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $77,400 or less.
How many editors work in District of Columbia?
About 3,310 editors are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.