Editor salary in Washington
Editors in Washington earn a median of $77,850 a year ($37.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,630 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $77,920. Washington ranks 10th of 50 states for editors pay. There are 0.52 editors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| 25th percentile | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Median | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| 75th percentile | $100,580 | $48.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,630 | $61.84 |
| Average (mean) | $83,960 | $40.37 |
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 | $6,487.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,243.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,994.23 |
| Weekly | $1,497.12 |
| Hourly | $37.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Editor salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $79,660 | 1,380 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Technical Writer | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,760 | $26.33 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,700 | $41.20 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for editors in Washington is $77,850 a year, or $37.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Washington?
The top 10% of editors in Washington earn at least $128,630 a year. The top 25% earn $100,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Washington?
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 Washington?
About 1,860 editors are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.