Editor salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Editors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $79,660 a year ($38.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,170 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 2% higher than the Washington statewide median of $77,850. There are 0.66 editors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| 25th percentile | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Median | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| 75th percentile | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,170 | $63.54 |
| Average (mean) | $85,440 | $41.08 |
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 | $6,638.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,319.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,063.85 |
| Weekly | $1,531.92 |
| Hourly | $38.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $75,430 | 700 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $73,470 | 40 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $68,830 | 70 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $67,810 | 90 |
| Bellingham, WA | $62,290 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 | $46.16 |
| Technical Writer | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,800 | $31.63 |
| Writers and Authors | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $113,200 | $54.42 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,640 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $86,680 | $41.68 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for editors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $79,660 a year, or $38.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of editors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $132,170 a year. The top 25% earn $101,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,320 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $56,900 or less.
How many editors work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,380 editors are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.