2007 Writing / Editing Average Salaries
December 14, 2007 by John Hewitt
This is a list of the average salaries for a number of writing and editing professions. The figures represent typical scales for a mid-sized metropolitan area in the United States. Larger markets tend to pay more and smaller markets tend to pay less. Remember that these are typical salaries for people who are employed by other companies. There is a much greater income variation among people who freelance or own their own businesses.
Note: These figures were compiled using a variety of sources including salary information at indeed.com, salary.com, stc.org and labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov.
- Acquisitions Editor: $37,000 to $57,000
- Assistant Editor: $27,000 to $40,000
- Associate Editor: 33,000 to 44,000
- Blogger: $17,000 to $35,000
- Copy Editor: $21,000 to 42,000
- Copywriter: $41,000 to $63,000
- Editor: $37,000 to $54,000
- Editorial Assistant: $24,000 to $38,000
- Editor-in-Chief: $51,000 to $95,000
- E-learning Developer: $45,000 to 75,000
- Fact Checker / Researcher: $25,000 to $37,000
- Grant Writer: $35,000 to $47,000
- Junior Copywriter: $29,000 to $44,000
- Junior Technical Writer: $31,000 to $42,000
- Legal Editor: $36,000 to $45,000
- Managing Editor: $37,000 to 49,000
- Managing Editor: $40,000 to $64,000
- Medical Copy Editor: $29,000 to 44,000
- Medical Editor: $37,000 to 52,000
- News Editor: $25,000 to 35,000
- Newspaper Reporter: $26,000 to $51,000
- Online Editor: $31,000 to $50,000
- Proofreader: $29,000 to $41,000
- Proposal Writer: $41,000 to 69,000
- Public Relations Writer: $34,000 to $46,000
- Publications Assistant: $25,000 to $37,000
- Senior Copywriter: $54,000 to $80,000
- Senior Editor: $42,000 to $66,000
- Senior Technical Writer: $56,000 to $81,000
- Speech Writer: $51,000 to $73,000
- Technical Copy Editor: $36,000 to $52,000
- Technical Editor: $36,000 to $57,000
- Technical Writer: $42,000 to $63,000
- Web Editor: $22,000 to $39,000
If you want to share your own salary or income, please do so in the comments. If you want salary information for a writing or editing position that I missed, let me know in the comments and I will take a look.
always nice to know just how badly you’re getting screwed.
According to the AMPTP.org, the average screenwriter makes more than a surgeon. What happened to that poor down-on-his-luck surgeon? Gambling, drink, drugs?
AMPTP.org is NOT an authority I would turn to for accurate information.
Thanks for your salary survey. It is really useful.
Can you mention the salary range in India? for 3 years experience in technical writing (only in hardware field - VLSI)
Sharmila,
I don’t have access to Indian salary figures at this time, but I will look around.
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Great Post, John!
However, can you tell me the average salary for a Financial Writer?
Thanks!
Where category would freelance writers fall in?
I meant WHAT category!
very interesting and helpful site. I enjoyed it’s complete contents.
Sarah,
Freelance writers work for themselves. They are not paid a salary. Only employees receive a salary. The income of a freelance writer can vary dramatically, which makes it hard to measure.
Cleoz,
In general, financial writers are paid the same as technical writers.
Hi John,
Thanks for posting this. This seems much lower than the figures posted on the Writer’s Market site. I am trying to figure out what an hourly wage for a part-time position (20 hours per week) as Research Editor would pay for an in-flight magazine. The job description includes research, i.e., fact-checking, proofreading and some copy editing.
Thanks for any more specific information you can offer me.
P.S. I forgot to mention that there are no benefits with this job. Also, I would have to pay my own taxes out of my paycheck.
ej,
Thanks for your question. The first thing you need to understand is that you are not being offered a job. If you pay your own taxes and get no benefits, you are freelancing and should be paid freelancer rates. This article isn’t about freelancing rates, but I would advise you to charge a minimum of $30 an hour. For more information on setting freelance rates, I’d advise you to visit: http://freelanceswitch.com/resources
Many, many thanks for this information, John. You da man!
ej
What if you are a technical writer who edits Web copy? Does it all depend on your title? They are about to do a salary review at our company, and I have a feeling I’m about to get screwed.
It might be helpful to list Web Content Managers or Directors, the salaries of whom generally range from 40K on the low end to 70K on the high end, depending on experience and level of responsibility.
Another writing profession to include is Instructional Designer (in the field of e-Learning/online learning; not to be confused with E-Learning Developer).
I would encourage anyone who wishes to pursue a writing career to explore opportunities that are off the radar. Learn how to write in different styles, such as ad copy, brochure copy, online copy and columns. Most important, if this is what you really want to do, don’t quit. Most people get 90% of the way to success, then quit. In 1998, I made $17,000. Today, I earn in the top 2% of writers nationally. I did it because I took the advice I just gave you, which was given to me in 1996. Good luck.
editorial assistant, $10 hour. Out of college.
2.5 years onthejob experience, hired as reporter at $15/hour.
3 percent raise annually.
Master’s degree does not = bigger raise!
You do the math.
Journalism majors TAKE SOME BUSINESSES COURSES, so that when you decide you’ve had enough of mac and cheese, you can start making a living in a 2nd career.
How much does a creative writer make?
Creative Writing isn’t really a job title. Companies don’t hire many creative writers. it is more of a freelance position, and as a freelancer you can make very little or a lot, but chances are … very little.
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