BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Editors in California

$111,810 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$53.75 per hour

▲ 24.2% above U.S. average2nd of 50 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$111,810per year
Median$98,030per year
Hourly$53.75per hour
10th – 90th percentile$52,510 – $173,590per year

Editors Pay Range in California

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$52,510
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$71,090
  • 50th Percentile — Median$98,030
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$136,820
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$173,590

Half of Editors in California earn more than $98,030. The top 10% make $173,590 or more, while entry-level workers start around $52,510.

Editors in California: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • California ranks 2nd of 50 states for Editors pay, at $111,810 per year (24.2% above the U.S. average of $90,060).
  • 14,830 people work as Editors in California — 16.2% of all U.S. Editors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.38: Editors jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $52,510; the top 10% earn over $173,590.
  • Hourly equivalent: $53.75 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New York at $116,740.
  • Among creative jobs in California, Art Directors pays the most ($156,060).

Editors Job Market in California

Key factors affecting compensation

California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Editors here earn $111,810 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $111,810 is roughly equivalent to $78,739 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($116,740), District of Columbia ($109,290), New Jersey ($107,030) are the closest alternatives for Editors weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Editors salary in California?

The average Editors salary in California is $111,810 per year (median $98,030), which is 24.2% above the national average of $90,060.

How does California rank for Editors pay?

California ranks 2nd out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is New York ($116,740/yr).

How much do entry-level Editors make in California?

The lowest-paid 10% of Editors in California earn about $52,510 per year and the 25th percentile is $71,090.

How much do Editors make per hour in California?

About $53.75 per hour, based on the $111,810 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Editors work in California?

BLS counts 14,830 Editors jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).

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