Editor salary in Iowa
Editors in Iowa earn a median of $57,200 a year ($27.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,820 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $77,920. Iowa ranks 39th of 50 states for editors pay. There are 0.58 editors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| 25th percentile | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Median | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| 75th percentile | $75,180 | $36.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,820 | $52.32 |
| Average (mean) | $67,790 | $32.59 |
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 | $4,766.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,383.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,200 |
| Weekly | $1,100 |
| Hourly | $27.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Editor salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $63,720 | 260 |
| Iowa City, IA | $63,440 | 100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,880 | 90 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,980 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,050 | 90 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,030 | 90 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,300 | 50 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Technical Writer | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Writers and Authors | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $93,810 | $45.10 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Interior Designer | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,420 | $33.85 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for editors in Iowa is $57,200 a year, or $27.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of editors in Iowa earn at least $108,820 a year. The top 25% earn $75,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,050 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $45,800 or less.
How many editors work in Iowa?
About 900 editors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.