Media & Communications Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Editor Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median editor salary in Brookings, SD is $62,849 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$62,849
vs State Avg
$-1,461
vs National
$-10,231
Cost of Living
86%

Editor Pay in Brookings: What to Expect (2026)

Brookings offers a median editor salary of $62,849, which is $1,461 below the South Dakota state average of $64,310. Compared to the national median of $73,080, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $62,849 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $73,080 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for editors seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for editors in Brookings spans from $34,400 at the 10th percentile to $113,520 at the 90th percentile — a $79,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,120, while senior editors with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $107,500. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Editor Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level editor earns around $36,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $107,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$64,500
$-10,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$107,500
$-17,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $34,400
25th Percentile $45,580
Median (50th) $62,849
75th Percentile $84,280
90th Percentile $113,520

Editor Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

How to Become a Editor in Brookings

Education

Most editor positions require a bachelor's degree. Brookings and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EditingAP/Chicago StyleCMS PlatformsContent StrategyFact-CheckingCommunication

Job Outlook

Nationally, editor employment is projected to grow -5% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Editor Jobs in Brookings

Browse open editor positions in Brookings, SD:

Frequently Asked Questions: Editor Salary in Brookings

How much does a Editor make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median editor salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $62,849 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $73,080. Salaries range from $34,400 (10th percentile) to $113,520 (90th percentile).
How much does a Editor make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $62,849, a editor in Brookings earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for editor pay? ▼
Brookings's median editor salary of $62,849 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $64,310. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a editor salary of $62,849 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a editor in Brookings? ▼
Most editor positions in Brookings require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Editing, AP/Chicago Style, CMS Platforms, Content Strategy. The job market is projected to grow -5% nationally over the next decade.