Editor salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Editors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $77,890 a year ($37.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,720 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 21% lower than the California statewide median of $98,030. There are 0.31 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $73,750, close to the median.
Pay range for editors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,260 | $18.87 |
| 25th percentile | $42,020 | $20.20 |
| Median | $77,890 | $37.45 |
| 75th percentile | $93,120 | $44.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,720 | $56.60 |
| Average (mean) | $73,750 | $35.46 |
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 | $6,490.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,245.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,995.77 |
| Weekly | $1,497.88 |
| Hourly | $37.45 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $117,580 | 560 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,940 | 2,040 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,050 | 8,830 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $81,330 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,570 | 120 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $78,870 | 710 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $78,800 | 370 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $73,770 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $73,300 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $72,300 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $70,560 | 320 |
| Chico, CA | $67,390 | 30 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,680 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $62,490 | 60 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,380 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $64,510 | $31.01 |
| Producers and Directors | $77,530 | $37.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Art Director | $126,410 | $60.78 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,790 | $27.30 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for editors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $77,890 a year, or $37.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of editors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $117,720 a year. The top 25% earn $93,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,260 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $42,020 or less.
How many editors work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 30 editors are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.