Editor salary in Richmond, VA
Editors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $70,380 a year ($33.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,580 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 13% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $80,590. There are 0.44 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $76,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| 25th percentile | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| Median | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| 75th percentile | $94,370 | $45.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,580 | $56.53 |
| Average (mean) | $76,670 | $36.86 |
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 | $5,865 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,932.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,706.92 |
| Weekly | $1,353.46 |
| Hourly | $33.84 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $84,800 | 5,470 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $75,800 | 160 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,570 | 260 |
| Roanoke, VA | $58,100 | 30 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Technical Writer | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Photographer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Art Director | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| Floral Designer | $37,460 | $18.01 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for editors in the Richmond, VA metro area is $70,380 a year, or $33.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of editors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $117,580 a year. The top 25% earn $94,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,810 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $52,040 or less.
How many editors work in Richmond, VA?
About 290 editors are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.