Editor salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Editors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $63,720 a year ($30.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,340 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 11% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $57,200. There are 0.65 editors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,650 | $20.98 |
| 25th percentile | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| Median | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| 75th percentile | $75,180 | $36.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Average (mean) | $67,280 | $32.35 |
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 | $5,310 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,655 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,450.77 |
| Weekly | $1,225.38 |
| Hourly | $30.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Editor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $63,440 | 100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,880 | 90 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,980 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,050 | 90 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,030 | 90 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,300 | 50 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Technical Writer | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,400 | $26.63 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,230 | $26.07 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $82,040 | $39.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Interior Designer | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| Photographer | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for editors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $63,720 a year, or $30.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of editors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $101,340 a year. The top 25% earn $75,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,650 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $46,080 or less.
How many editors work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 260 editors are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.