Editor salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Editors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $84,800 a year ($40.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,900 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $77,920. Pay here is 1% higher than the District of Columbia statewide median of $83,920. There are 1.7 editors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for editors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,780 | $27.30 |
| 25th percentile | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Median | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| 75th percentile | $127,610 | $61.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,900 | $81.68 |
| Average (mean) | $104,350 | $50.17 |
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 | $7,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,533.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,261.54 |
| Weekly | $1,630.77 |
| Hourly | $40.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $79,730 | 670 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $75,800 | 160 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,530 | 1,690 |
| Richmond, VA | $70,380 | 290 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $62,670 | 40 |
| 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 |
See Editor pay in every state or the District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $108,460 | $52.14 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $94,510 | $45.44 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $75,710 | $36.40 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,680 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Interior Designer | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,320 | $21.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for editors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $84,800 a year, or $40.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid editors make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of editors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $169,900 a year. The top 25% earn $127,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for editors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,780 a year, and a quarter of editors earn $77,020 or less.
How many editors work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 5,470 editors are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.