Editor salary in Madison, WI
Editors in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $66,920 a year ($32.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,440 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 4% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $64,270. There are 0.94 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,530 | $20.45 |
| 25th percentile | $48,810 | $23.46 |
| Median | $66,920 | $32.17 |
| 75th percentile | $85,160 | $40.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Average (mean) | $71,490 | $34.37 |
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 | $5,576.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,788.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,573.85 |
| Weekly | $1,286.92 |
| Hourly | $32.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $79,350 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $74,650 | 110 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $66,560 | 370 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $63,430 | 1,390 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $54,090 | 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 |
See Editor pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Technical Writer | $86,180 | $41.43 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,750 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Producers and Directors | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Interior Designer | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Photographer | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Art Director | $83,650 | $40.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for editors in the Madison, WI metro area is $66,920 a year, or $32.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of editors in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $102,440 a year. The top 25% earn $85,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,530 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $48,810 or less.
How many editors work in Madison, WI?
About 380 editors are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.