Media & Communications Seattle, WA Pop. 737,015

Editor Salary in Seattle, Washington

The median editor salary in Seattle, WA is $108,158 per year, which is 48.0% above the national median and 28.7% above the Washington state average.

City Median
$108,158
vs State Avg
+$24,116
vs National
+$35,078
Cost of Living
148%

Editor Pay in Seattle: What to Expect (2026)

Seattle offers a median editor salary of $108,158, which is $24,116 above the Washington state average of $84,042. Compared to the national median of $73,080, Seattle pays above average for this role.

However, Seattle's cost of living index is 148%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $108,158 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $73,080. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Seattle should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for editors in Seattle spans from $59,200 at the 10th percentile to $195,360 at the 90th percentile — a $136,160 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $62,160, while senior editors with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $185,000. As a major metro area with a population of 737,015, Seattle typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Editor Salary in Seattle by Experience

In Seattle, an entry-level editor earns around $62,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $185,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$62,160
+$20,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$111,000
+$36,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$185,000
+$60,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Seattle, WA

Percentile Seattle
10th Percentile $59,200
25th Percentile $78,440
Median (50th) $108,158
75th Percentile $145,040
90th Percentile $195,360

Editor Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$111,082
Pop. 151,854
Tacoma, WA
$80,388
Pop. 219,346
Vancouver, WA
$74,542
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$67,234
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Editor in Seattle

Education

Most editor positions require a bachelor's degree. Seattle and the surrounding Washington 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 Seattle may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Editor Jobs in Seattle

Browse open editor positions in Seattle, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Editor Salary in Seattle

How much does a Editor make in Seattle, WA? ▼
The median editor salary in Seattle, Washington is $108,158 per year, which is 48.0% above the national median of $73,080. Salaries range from $59,200 (10th percentile) to $195,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Editor make per hour in Seattle? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $108,158, a editor in Seattle earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Seattle compare to the Washington state average for editor pay? ▼
Seattle's median editor salary of $108,158 is 28.7% above the Washington state average of $84,042. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Seattle, WA? ▼
Seattle has a cost of living index of 148% compared to the national average. This means a editor salary of $108,158 in Seattle has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a editor in Seattle? ▼
Most editor positions in Seattle 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.