Senior Editor Average Salary & Hourly Rate in 2025
Senior editor salary depends on experience, industry, and location. Gaining a clear understanding of these elements, along with current market trends, is critical for professionals who want to remain competitive.
As of August 27, 2025, the average salary for senior editors in the United States is $96,101. This salary guide explores the main drivers of senior editor pay, reviews current salary trends, and provides insights into what professionals can expect in the evolving job market.
An Overview of Senior Editor Salaries
The average IT senior editor salary in the United States is $96,101 per year, or $46 per hour. Salaries generally range from $82,728 to $113,104 per year, with most professionals earning between $89,101 and $105,001.
| Percentile | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10% Percentile | $82,728 |
| 25% Percentile | $89,101 |
| 50% Percentile (Median) | $96,101 |
| 75% Percentile | $105,001 |
| 90% Percentile | $113,104 |
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that salaries for editors vary by industry. For example, senior editors in the motion picture and video industry earn about $98,010, while those working for newspaper publishers earn about $59,600.
- Motion picture and video industries: $98,010
- Media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers: $82,990
- Professional, scientific, and technical services: $67,610
- Newspaper publishers: $59,600
Senior Editor Salary: Hourly, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Breakdown
Senior editor salary can be shown by the hour, week, month, or year. According to Salary.com, the average senior editor salary in the United States is $46 per hour, $1,848 per week, and $8,008 per month.
- Average salary per hour: $46
- Average salary per week: $1,848
- Average salary per month: $8,008
- Average salary per year: $96,101
As noted, salary depends on location, experience, and education. The next sections explain each factor in more detail.
How Experience Impacts Senior Editor Salaries
Experience plays an important role in senior editor salary in the United States. While the differences are not large, they are noticeable. According to Salary.com, entry-level editors earn about $93,067, while those with extensive experience average $100,186 per year.
- Entry Level Senior Editor: $93,067
- Intermediate Level Senior Editor: $93,589
- Senior Level Senior Editor: $94,947
- Specialist Level Senior Editor: $97,131
- Expert Level Senior Editor: $100,186
State-by-State Breakdown of Average Salaries for Senior Editors
Average salaries for senior editors vary across states and territories, influenced by cost of living and local demand.
Recent Salary.com data shows that the District of Columbia offers the highest annual salary at $106,301, followed by California with $105,901 per year, and Massachusetts closes behind at $104,501 per year.
| State/Territory | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $104,001 |
| Alabama | $88,201 |
| Arkansas | $86,801 |
| Arizona | $93,601 |
| California | $105,901 |
| Colorado | $98,001 |
| Connecticut | $102,601 |
| District of Columbia | $106,301 |
| Delaware | $97,301 |
| Florida | $90,901 |
| Georgia | $92,601 |
| Hawaii | $100,401 |
| Iowa | $91,901 |
| Idaho | $89,701 |
| Illinois | $97,901 |
| Indiana | $92,201 |
| Kansas | $91,501 |
| Kentucky | $90,401 |
| Louisiana | $91,301 |
| Massachusetts | $104,501 |
| Maryland | $99,001 |
| Maine | $93,701 |
| Michigan | $94,601 |
| Minnesota | $98,301 |
| Missouri | $91,301 |
| Mississippi | $85,701 |
| Montana | $90,701 |
| North Carolina | $91,301 |
| North Dakota | $94,901 |
| Nebraska | $90,501 |
| New Hampshire | $97,101 |
| New Jersey | $104,101 |
| New Mexico | $89,001 |
| Nevada | $95,101 |
| New York | $102,101 |
| Ohio | $93,501 |
| Oklahoma | $88,801 |
| Oregon | $97,501 |
| Pennsylvania | $95,601 |
| Rhode Island | $99,601 |
| South Carolina | $90,001 |
| South Dakota | $87,301 |
| Tennessee | $89,801 |
| Texas | $93,701 |
| Utah | $92,001 |
| Virginia | $96,701 |
| Vermont | $94,301 |
| Washington | $104,101 |
| Wisconsin | $94,501 |
| West Virginia | $86,501 |
| Wyoming | $92,101 |
Senior Editor Salaries: Top Earning Cities Revealed
Our salary data also shows that the highest-paying cities for senior editors in the United States are San Jose ($121,101), San Francisco ($119,901) and Oakland ($117,301), all in California.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $121,101 |
| San Francisco, CA | $119,901 |
| Oakland, CA | $117,301 |
| New York, NY | $111,301 |
| Queens Village, NY | $110,601 |
Explore Senior Editor Benefits and Perks Beyond Salary
In addition to base pay, senior editors often receive various benefits and rewards. According to Salary.com, the average total compensation is $140,043 per year.
- Social Security: $7,658
- 401K/403B: $4,204
- Disability: $2,002
- Healthcare: $8,352
- Pension: $5,405
- Time Off: $12,320
Senior Editor Job Description: Roles and Responsibilities
Senior editors are responsible for reviewing, editing, and rewriting content for print and digital platforms. They ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency while maintaining editorial standards, minimizing human error. The position may involve guiding junior staff or editorial assistants, collaborating with creative teams, and contributing to projects.
Other key duties, often listed in job postings, include:
- Creating and maintaining compelling written and digital content
- Ensuring all materials meet required formats and standards
- Evaluating content for quality and consistency
- Coordinating with teams to produce final drafts
- Supporting moderately complex projects and initiatives
This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field and 4 to 7 years of experience, according to Salary.com data.
When and How to Ask for a Raise as a Senior Editor?
If you're a senior editor and feel your work deserves a raise, knowing how and when to ask can make a difference.
- Show your value: Point out your contributions. This may include raising content standards, managing major editorial projects, mentoring team members, or handling extra responsibilities. Connect your efforts to the company's goals.
- Choose the right time: Plan your request carefully. The best times are when the company is performing well, after finishing a big project, or during a scheduled performance review. Timing can strengthen your case.
- Set up a formal meeting: Arrange a meeting with your manager to talk about your salary. Avoid casual mentions or busy periods. A formal setting shows that you take the discussion seriously.
- Back up your request: Gather salary data for senior editors in your area and compare it to your current pay. Combine this with examples of your achievements. As of August 27, 2025, senior editors earn an average of $96,101 per year in the United States.
Why Does a Senior Editor Manager Make So Much?
Unlike editors who mainly focus on writing, proofreading, and light content review, a senior editor manages larger editorial projects, ensures consistency across multiple platforms, and often supervises junior staff. Their broader responsibilities and leadership role contribute to higher pay.
Some senior editors also possess skills that can lead to even greater earnings. For example, according to Salary.com's report, senior editors with copyediting skills earn about 10.63% more, and those with desktop publishing experience earn 10.63% more than others.
- Copyediting: +10.63%
- Desktop Publishing: +10.63%
- Writing Style Guides: +10.42%
- Content Marketing: +10.08%
- Content Management System: +9.83%
- Project Coordination: +9.51%
The Future of Senior Editor: Job Outlook and Career Trends
The future of employment for senior editors, according to the BLS, is projected to decline by 2 percent from 2023 to 2033.
Despite this decline, an average of 9,300 job openings for editors are expected each year over the decade. These openings will largely result from the need to replace workers who change careers or retire.
As traditional print publications lose readership, editors are shifting their focus to online platforms. While digital media continues to grow, the overall decline in print magazines and newspapers will limit employment opportunities for editors.
