Editor salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Editors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $73,300 a year ($35.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,910 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 25% lower than the California statewide median of $98,030. There are 0.36 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $77,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,610 | $20.49 |
| 25th percentile | $50,570 | $24.31 |
| Median | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| 75th percentile | $84,270 | $40.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,910 | $63.90 |
| Average (mean) | $77,750 | $37.38 |
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 | $6,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,054.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,819.23 |
| Weekly | $1,409.62 |
| Hourly | $35.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,300 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $117,580 | 560 |
| 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 |
| 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,440 | $39.63 |
| Technical Writer | $104,450 | $50.21 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| Interior Designer | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,940 | $33.14 |
| Fashion Designer | $108,220 | $52.03 |
| Floral Designer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Photographer | $55,220 | $26.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for editors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $73,300 a year, or $35.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of editors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $132,910 a year. The top 25% earn $84,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,610 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $50,570 or less.
How many editors work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 70 editors are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.