Editor salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Editors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $80,410 a year ($38.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,220 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 9% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $73,740. There are 0.64 editors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| 25th percentile | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Median | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| 75th percentile | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,220 | $51.55 |
| Average (mean) | $82,790 | $39.80 |
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 | $6,700.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,350.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,092.69 |
| Weekly | $1,546.35 |
| Hourly | $38.66 |
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 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $76,360 | 350 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $66,540 | 110 |
| Asheville, NC | $66,210 | 100 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $63,130 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,570 | 260 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Technical Writer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Producers and Directors | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Photographer | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Interior Designer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Art Director | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $28.56 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for editors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $80,410 a year, or $38.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of editors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $107,220 a year. The top 25% earn $93,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,600 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $61,810 or less.
How many editors work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 220 editors are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.