Editor Salary in Washington, DC
Editors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $84,800 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,247 take-home, or $5,354 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median editor salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,826
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,258
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,230
- District of Columbia income tax$4,240
- Take-home pay$64,247
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Editor pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,780 | $27.30 | $45,559 | $3,797 |
| 25th percentile | $77,020 | $37.03 | $59,435 | $4,953 |
| Median (50th) | $84,800 | $40.77 | $64,247 | $5,354 |
| 75th percentile | $127,610 | $61.35 | $90,609 | $7,551 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,900 | $81.68 | $115,920 | $9,660 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,800 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median editor's $64,247 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,005 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 3.0× the national concentration of editor jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for editors, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #5 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $102,120 | $75,687 | $67,239 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $100,050 | $72,839 | $64,138 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $86,410 | $65,519 | $60,517 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $80,380 | $61,543 | $59,408 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $84,800 | $64,247 | $59,005 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: editors
Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.1% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a editor make in Washington, DC?
The median editor salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $84,800 a year, or about $40.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,020 and $127,610.
What is a editor’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $84,800 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $64,247 a year ($5,354 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,240 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a editor?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $77,920. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,005 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #5 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a editor afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median editor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists — $101,020
- Producer and Director — $100,270
- Technical Writer — $99,910
- Graphic Designer — $85,420
- Coach and Scout — $50,680