Editor salary in Knoxville, TN
Editors in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $59,630 a year ($28.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,110 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $59,550. There are 0.29 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $65,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| 25th percentile | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Median | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| 75th percentile | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,110 | $55.82 |
| Average (mean) | $65,690 | $31.58 |
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 | $4,969.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,484.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,293.46 |
| Weekly | $1,146.73 |
| Hourly | $28.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $64,250 | 740 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $56,420 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $54,000 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,700 | 30 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Technical Writer | $101,430 | $48.77 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,670 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,660 | $28.20 |
| Interior Designer | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Floral Designer | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,200 | $33.75 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for editors in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $59,630 a year, or $28.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of editors in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $116,110 a year. The top 25% earn $76,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,460 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $46,730 or less.
How many editors work in Knoxville, TN?
About 120 editors are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.