Editor salary in Virginia
Editors in Virginia earn a median of $80,590 a year ($38.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,810 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $77,920. Virginia ranks 7th of 50 states for editors pay. There are 0.66 editors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| Median | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| 75th percentile | $109,090 | $52.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,810 | $69.62 |
| Average (mean) | $89,740 | $43.15 |
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 | $6,715.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,357.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,099.62 |
| Weekly | $1,549.81 |
| Hourly | $38.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Editor salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $84,800 | 5,470 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $75,800 | 160 |
| Richmond, VA | $70,380 | 290 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Technical Writer | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,000 | $40.87 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,420 | $33.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Photographer | $46,550 | $22.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for editors in Virginia is $80,590 a year, or $38.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Virginia?
The top 10% of editors in Virginia earn at least $144,810 a year. The top 25% earn $109,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $58,990 or less.
How many editors work in Virginia?
About 2,720 editors are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.