Editor salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Editors in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $117,580 a year ($56.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $185,040 for the top 10%. That is 51% higher than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 20% higher than the California statewide median of $98,030. There are 0.49 editors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $120,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,080 | $27.93 |
| 25th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Median | $117,580 | $56.53 |
| 75th percentile | $143,240 | $68.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $185,040 | $88.96 |
| Average (mean) | $120,530 | $57.95 |
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 | $9,798.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,899.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,522.31 |
| Weekly | $2,261.15 |
| Hourly | $56.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $117,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $77,890 | 30 |
| 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $117,620 | $56.55 |
| Technical Writer | $140,700 | $67.65 |
| Writers and Authors | $118,810 | $57.12 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $101,530 | $48.81 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $76,450 | $36.76 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $143,170 | $68.83 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $57,250 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Art Director | $170,140 | $81.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $156,950 | $75.46 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $141,310 | $67.94 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,100 | $35.15 |
| Interior Designer | $85,140 | $40.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for editors in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $117,580 a year, or $56.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $185,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of editors in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $185,040 a year. The top 25% earn $143,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,080 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $83,200 or less.
How many editors work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 560 editors are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.