What Editors do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Editors this way: "Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work"; "Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax"; "Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements"; "Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources"; "Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Editors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 105,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 103,800 in 2035, a decrease of 1,200 jobs (-1.1%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 7,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 9.0% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $77,920, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Editors earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $97,637 in California to $100,603 in New York, a gap of $2,966 (1.03 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $77,920 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 18,580, which is 37.5% of the 49,570 counted across them. New York follows with 17,550.
Highest-paying states
New York ($100,603), New Jersey ($99,281) and California ($97,637) lead the ranking, while California ($97,637) and New Jersey ($99,281) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Editors: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $44,752. The smallest margin is $34,428 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 31.3% and 43.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Editors
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (27-3000) include Public Relations Specialists.
Frequently asked questions about Editors
What is the national median wage for Editors?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $77,920. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $97,637 to $100,603.
Which state pays Editors the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $100,603. New Jersey is next at $99,281.
What is the job outlook for Editors?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 1.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 7,900 openings a year.
What education do Editors need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.
Where can Editors afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $44,752 on a median wage of $102,120.