Editors
Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.
Is editors a good career?
It scores 16/100 and ranks #477 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($77,920 vs $61,390)
Possible tradeoffs
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+0.6%)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (less than 5 years)
What editors earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. editors earn between $57,300 and $106,100 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live editors jobs
No live editors openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified editors openings will appear here — each shown against the $77,920 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow slower than average through 2034.
Education
Editors typically need a bachelor's degree in English or a related field, such as communications or journalism.
Candidates with other backgrounds who can show strong writing skills also may find jobs as editors. Editors who deal with specific subject matter may need related work experience. For example, fashion editors may need expertise in fashion that they gain through formal training or work experience.
Advancement
Some editors hold management positions and must make decisions related to running a business. For them, advancement generally means moving up to publications with larger circulation or greater prestige. Copy editors may move into original writing or substantive editing positions or become freelancers.
Important qualities
Creativity. Editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics. Some editors must regularly come up with interesting content or story ideas and attention-grabbing headlines.
Detail oriented. Editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication.
Good judgment. Editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them.
Interpersonal skills. In working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work.
Writing skills. Editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Editors must be able to write clearly and logically.
Related occupations
How much do editors make?
The national median wage is $77,920 a year, with the middle half earning between $57,300 and $106,100 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is editors a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 16 of 100 and ranks #477 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +0.6% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a editor?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with less than 5 years.
Where do editors earn the most?
Among states, New York pays the highest median ($101,480). Local pay for every state and metro is below.