Editor salary in Illinois
Editors in Illinois earn a median of $76,060 a year ($36.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,850 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $77,920. Illinois ranks 12th of 50 states for editors pay. There are 0.75 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| 25th percentile | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Median | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| 75th percentile | $100,750 | $48.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,850 | $51.85 |
| Average (mean) | $80,620 | $38.76 |
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 | $6,338.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,169.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,925.38 |
| Weekly | $1,462.69 |
| Hourly | $36.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Editor salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,380 | 2,520 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $69,990 | 360 |
| 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 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Technical Writer | $88,700 | $42.65 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for editors in Illinois is $76,060 a year, or $36.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of editors in Illinois earn at least $107,850 a year. The top 25% earn $100,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,410 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $62,370 or less.
How many editors work in Illinois?
About 4,560 editors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.